How Ollie Bearman sparked a late-season turnaround
Ollie Bearman has been frank about the mix of factors behind his improved form with Haas F1 in the second half of the 2025 season. There isn’t a single magic fix, he explains, but rather a carefully staged evolution that has helped convert a promising year into a strong finish. The driver’s reflections underscore a broader shift within Haas as the year progressed.
A stronger package on track
Bearman points to the car itself as a critical piece of the resurgence. While the exact balance between aero, power, and reliability varies from race to race, the overarching message is clear: the chassis and setup possibilities available to the team allowed him to extract more performance. In a sport where tenths matter, even modest gains can translate into meaningful lap-time improvements and better race pace.
Consistent development, not a spark
Rather than a sudden breakthrough, Bearman describes a steady development loop. The Haas engineers and engineers-in-training worked to lock in a more repeatable baseline for race weekend practice, qualifying, and long runs. A more predictable car gives a young driver like Bearman the confidence to push closer to the limit without overstepping the line, especially in high-pressure sessions.
The structure of the race weekend
Another pillar of the turnaround is how the team has organized race weekends. Bearman emphasizes a more defined process: clearer goals for every practice session, targeted data reviews, and faster decision-making when it comes toQualifying and race strategy. The result is a tighter cadence that reduces wasted time and increases the odds of extracting the car’s potential on race day.
Analytical mindset and maturity
Beyond the mechanical and organizational tweaks, Bearman highlights a shift in mindset. The pressures of a challenging start can cloud judgment, but developing a more mature approach — including better self-assessment, patient pace, and disciplined risk-taking — has helped him manage the highs and lows of a demanding season. This mental evolution appears to align with a broader team culture focused on steady improvement rather than dramatic, one-off gains.
What this means for Haas and Bearman going forward
For Haas, the late-season surge signals that the team’s longer-term plan is beginning to bear fruit. A consistent performance baseline and a clear structure around race weekends create a more favorable environment for developing young talent like Bearman. The driver’s ability to translate practice data into meaningful on-track gains will be crucial as the team looks to build momentum into the next season.
Looking ahead
Bearman’s comments offer a roadmap for continued improvement: keep refining the car, maintain a robust weekend structure, and nurture the mental approach that supports consistent execution. If Haas can sustain this trajectory, Bearman’s late-season surge could be remembered as the turning point that helped redefine the team’s 2025 campaign and set the stage for future success.
