From rivals to reference
Haas driver Oliver Bearman is drawing inspiration from the rapid rise of his former junior category rivals, Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar, in Formula 1. He views their progress as a powerful indicator that success in F1 hinges on having the right car and opportunity.
Bearman, who transitioned to F1 with Haas following a standout season in Formula 2, is currently ranked 13th in the drivers' standings with 18 points. His team-mate Esteban Ocon is struggling further back, earning only three points so far this season.
Antonelli and Hadjar at the front
Kimi Antonelli, who was Bearman's team-mate in F2, is leading the Formula 1 drivers' standings with an impressive total of 219 points. Isack Hadjar is also excelling, holding the eighth position with 68 points under his belt.
Their strong performances show that these drivers are able to extract maximum performance from their machinery, often pushing their cars to the limit. For Bearman, this highlights the importance of talent and adaptability, reinforcing the belief that he, too, can succeed when given the right conditions.
Car versus driver
In a recent appearance on the F1 Beyond The Grid podcast, Bearman discussed how the success of his former peers provides him with a confidence boost. He believes it shows that a skilled driver can rise through the ranks when provided with the right equipment.
That tells me that it's just a matter of time.' Bearman is not in a rush but remains optimistic. He added, 'When I get the car that can win races, I'm going to win races.
While Bearman has already proven his capabilities in F1, scoring points on his debut with Ferrari at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and outperforming his team-mate during his rookie season, he acknowledges that his current car is a limiting factor in his overall results. Looking forward, his focus remains on pushing his personal performance to the next level, regardless of how the competition stacks up.
He explained his mindset during a recent interview: 'For me, the goal is purely on personal performance because I'm not in control of how fast our competition is. Nor are we really in control of how fast we are at certain moments.' Bearman's attitude reflects his determination to stay competitive. He is ready for opportunities as they arise.