Lewis Hamilton impressed by Oliver Bearman’s standout show in Mexico as rookie hits new profession excessive
The highlight might have been on Lando Norris after he took the lead within the Components 1 drivers’ championship on the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix, however the actual star of the weekend turned out to be Haas rookie Oliver Bearman. The 20-year-old British driver produced a sensational efficiency on the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, delivering one of many standout drives of the season and securing a consequence that equalled Haas’ best-ever end in Components 1 historical past.
Drama unfolds initially of the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix
The build-up to Sunday’s race was dominated by questions on how chaotic the opening laps is likely to be on a circuit infamous for its tight first nook and unpredictable begins. True to expectations, the primary lap delivered loads of drama. Max Verstappen needed to steer onto the grass to keep away from contact, whereas Charles Leclerc appeared to realize a slight benefit over Lewis Hamilton by chopping the second chicane in his Ferrari SF-25. The scenario rapidly escalated when, only a few laps later, Hamilton and Verstappen discovered themselves battling wheel-to-wheel into Flip 4. The seven-time world champion finally obtained a penalty for leaving the monitor and gaining a bonus, a choice that reshuffled the race order and created a chance for the chasing pack.
This chain of occasions labored in favour of Bearman and his unexpectedly aggressive Haas VF-25. With George Russell and Verstappen compromised, the younger Briton seized the second, climbing as much as third place in a efficiency that surprised each followers and rival groups. Bearman maintained his composure below stress, executing a daring technique by switching to the smooth tyres for his second stint whereas heading off sturdy challenges from George Russell and Oscar Piastri. His resilience allowed him to complete forward of Oscar Piastri, denying the McLaren driver very important championship factors and marking a defining second in Ollie Bearman’s rookie marketing campaign.
Haas and Ferrari impressed by Bearman’s breakthrough efficiency
The consequence marked a milestone not just for Ollie Bearman but in addition for the Haas Components 1 workforce. The younger driver’s fourth-place end equalled the American outfit’s best-ever consequence within the sport — a file beforehand achieved by Romain Grosjean. Haas shared their delight on social media, celebrating the workforce’s exceptional achievement and acknowledging Bearman’s poise below stress. His mum or dad workforce, Scuderia Ferrari, additionally took word of the efficiency, carefully monitoring the progress of their academy driver throughout what’s his first full season competing in Components 1.
Following the race, Lewis Hamilton was among the many many to specific admiration for Bearman’s show. The Ferrari star, who completed on the rostrum himself, was stated to be genuinely impressed by the younger Briton’s calm and calculated racecraft. Hamilton took to social media to commend Oliver Bearman’s “mega drive”, a remark that was broadly shared throughout the Components 1 neighborhood as followers applauded the rising expertise’s breakthrough efficiency.
Grosjean, who had beforehand set the benchmark for Haas together with his personal fourth-place end, additionally praised Bearman, describing his efficiency as “superb” and crediting workforce principal Ayao Komatsu for steering the workforce in the appropriate course. The previous Components 1 driver expressed his delight at seeing the American squad aggressive as soon as once more, celebrating Bearman’s achievement as an indication that the workforce is on an upward trajectory.
Former world champion Damon Hill added his voice to the refrain of reward, commenting that the Ferrari junior was “making waves” in a season the place a number of younger drivers have already had their defining moments. The popularity from a determine of Hill’s stature additional underlined simply how spectacular the rookie’s efficiency had been in Mexico Metropolis.
Bearman displays on Haas’ ‘excellent job’ and his battle with Verstappen
In his official post-race media debrief, Oliver Bearman mirrored on what he described as one of the crucial memorable races of his younger profession. He defined that the race had been intense from begin to end, with technique and tyre administration enjoying an important position. Ollie Bearman admitted that the workforce had executed a “excellent job” in organising the automotive inside the appropriate working window, permitting him to push confidently all through each stints. He highlighted how rewarding it felt to struggle wheel-to-wheel with drivers like Max Verstappen — somebody he had grown up watching dominate Components 1 — and to carry his place by means of each tempo and precision moderately than pure fortune.
Bearman famous that whereas there was some luck concerned because of the race dynamics and penalties forward of him, the important thing to his consequence was the automotive’s velocity and the workforce’s decision-making. He credited Haas for his or her operational sharpness and unity, emphasizing that each member of the workforce had contributed to a efficiency that felt like a real reward for months of arduous work and perseverance.
Hypothesis grows over Bearman’s future and Ferrari prospects
Ollie Bearman’s fast growth and composed performances have already fueled hypothesis about his future in Components 1. Many inside the paddock imagine he may in the future succeed Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari when the British veteran finally decides to retire. The 40-year-old’s presence at Maranello has introduced stability and expertise, however insiders counsel Ferrari’s long-term imaginative and prescient contains integrating youthful expertise corresponding to Ollie Bearman into their construction.
In the meantime, different younger drivers have additionally struggled with the stress of filling Hamilton’s footwear — a problem highlighted by Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s studying curve this season at Mercedes. Ollie Bearman, nevertheless, seems to be taking a extra gradual and assured strategy to his Components 1 journey. By gaining constant expertise with Haas, he’s laying the groundwork to make sure that when the chance arises, he shall be absolutely ready to step right into a prime seat, doubtlessly below Fred Vasseur’s management at Ferrari.
A defining second in Oliver Bearman’s F1 rise
Oliver Bearman’s exceptional drive at the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix not solely showcased his pure expertise and maturity but in addition signaled his arrival as considered one of Components 1’s most enjoyable younger prospects. Incomes reward from a number of world champions, together with Lewis Hamilton and Damon Hill, the British rookie has demonstrated that he has each the velocity and the composure required to thrive on the prime degree of motorsport. For Haas and Ferrari alike, Ollie Bearman’s consequence serves as a reminder that the subsequent technology of F1 stars is already right here — and able to problem the established order.
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