Oliver Bearman started dead last at Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix but drove an impressive race to finish within the points, continuing his good form in his debut season with Haas
Oliver Bearman’s dad delivered a sweet message over his team radio after Britain’s teenage Formula 1 star gained a stunning 10 places at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Bearman, who turns 20 next month, started at the back of the grid on Sunday after a ‘really poor’ qualifying session.
But the ex-Ferrari junior made it all the way into the points to keep up his impressive start to life driving for Haas. After finishing 14th in the opening race of 2025 in Australia, Bearman has taken points from the last three Grands Prix.
His one point from Bahrain from puts him on six for the season, the highest of all rookies bar Mercedes wonderkid Kimi Antonelli. Haas also find themselves fifth in the team standings, only trailing the ‘big four’.
After Bearman crossed the line in Bahrain, his dad, David, came onto his team radio to give him a message of congratulations. “Ollie, it’s Dad,” he began. “That was a top effort, mate, outstanding. I love you. I know you only did it for the points bonus!”
“Thanks, Dad,” Bearman replied. His father is the founder and CEO of an insurance firm, Aventum Group.
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Bearman’s assault on the points began with a mega first lap. The 19-year-old made up five positions on the opening lap before benefiting from a Safety Car which allowed him to put on a fresh set of tyres for the last 20 stint.
After fending off Antonelli and Williams driver Alex Albon to claim P10, Bearman acknowledged that he was ‘lucky’ with the timing of the Safety Car but was ‘really proud’ of his performance. “I feel really good, it was a great race, it flew by!” he said.
“Those last 20 laps after the Safety Car restart, I was under a lot of pressure trying to hold position with the Mercedes behind and trying to fight in front as well. It was a tough one, it was a really difficult race but so happy to bring home a point for the team after a really poor Qualifying yesterday.
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“Of course we were lucky with the Safety Car but I felt really strong in the first stint. The second stint on the hard [tyre] was a bit more difficult, but I think I was the only one on the hard at that point.
“We caught the Safety Car, which was of course very lucky, but then I had to hold my position which is easier said than done with faster cars around.
“I’m really proud of how I performed today. I think I did a really good job, and of course the team – it goes without saying – they have done fantastically as well.”
Bearman will be back on track this weekend ahead of Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. That’s where the Chelmsford-raised star made his debut for Ferrari last season by filling in for the injured Carlos Sainz, finishing seventh at the street circuit in a sign of things to come.
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