Oliver Bearman, Formula 1’s current dark horse on the grid, showcases Haas’ VF-26 as the car that can dominate the midfield teams—competing with the likes of Alpine, Red Bull and Racing Bulls for the remaining points. But at 20 years old, is the young Brit from Chelmsford ready to mount a competitive challenge and keep up his current momentum?
Let’s find out…
Bearman’s Strengths
Bearman has youth and the hunger to achieve success at such an early stage in his Formula 1 career. But one strength that offers the ‘Bear’ such a unique advantage as well as his peers around him comes from the 2026 regulations.
As the ground effect tunnels have been removed for the 2026 Formula 1 season, flatter floors and extended diffusers pay dividends to Bearman’s unique driving style of speed and adaptability. In short, allowing for a greater range of driving styles and setups. Reflecting his racecraft, being able to outperform his car. A performance that has earned him 17 points so far.
Ollie expressed his enthusiasm before the season began on the VF-26, to which he can now stand by his comments as the young Brit has scored points in the first two race races. Although after three races, Bearman has now expressed concerns as he is still getting to grips with his VF-26.
Weaknesses
As 2026 marks the first regulatory change for the British driver, his Qualifying performance so far has become inconsistent for a mid-level team:
– P12 in Australia
– P10 in China
– P18 in Japan
While the Saturdays become the Bearman’s ‘kryptonite’, his Sundays become the ‘Man of Steel’ Haas needs. But in Japan, that hero did ‘fall from the sky’.
A high-risk error cost the Brit a chance to finish the Japanese Grand Prix after a huge crash while attempting to pass Alpine driver, Franco Colapinto. Bearman attempted to pass Franco before Turn 13; however, the Argentinian positioned his Alpine in the middle of the track, forcing the Haas driver wide onto the grass, where he lost control and hit the barrier.
While the incident demonstrates Bearman’s ambition to take risks, it also comes as a caution to the regulations as well as an opportunity for the ‘Bear’ to learn for future races to come.
Number 87’s Opportunities
The crash at the Japanese Grand Prix comes as a stepping stone for Bearman to review his high-risk actions. The Alpine driver was derating as he headed up to Turn 13, leaving his position vulnerable to Bearman’s attack. The number 87 driver had the opportunity to wait to come out of Spoon Curve (Turn 14) to use Straight Line Mode, even Boost to overtake the Argentinian driver.
Moving away from the track, Bearman’s second golden ticket lies within the Ferrari ecosystem. In 2022, the young Brit joined the Ferrari Academy, setting the foundation of a promising career in Formula 1. And in 2024, Bearman was given the opportunity to drive the SF-24 for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on behalf of Carlos Sainz, who suffered from appendicitis. Achieving a remarkable 7th place for the team.
The final comes from a marketability perspective. 2026 marks Bearman’s third year at the pinnacle of the motorsports ecosystem. Already renowned as a young and fast driver, coupled with his ties to Ferrari, makes the young Brit a long-term face of the sport.
Who Threatens the ‘Bear’s Challenge?
The threat? Well, that comes from the likes of Alpine and Red Bull Racing. In 2025, Alpine scored a maximum of 22 points across three races; they currently have 16 points. Proving their crucial engine change to Mercedes power has bolstered their competitive charge.
But to keep that momentum requires relentless pressure. And the driver leading that charge is Pierre Gasly. The 2020 Italian Grand Prix race winner has finished inside the points in all three races:
10th in Australia (1 Point)
6th in China (8 Points)
7th in Japan (6 Points)
The second driver to haunt Bearman is the Raging Bull, Max Verstappen. The Flying Dutchman has expressed his concerns about the new rules and regulations surrounding his RB22. However, this has not stopped the four-time world champion from mounting a competitive challenge.
Last season, Red Bull understood that the RB21 was not as competitive as McLaren’s. However, the facts did not stop the Flying Dutchman from extracting the maximum from the car, keeping him in championship contention right down to the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.
So far, Verstappen has managed to accumulate 12 points in the championship and retired from the Chinese Grand Prix due to an ERS (Electronic Recovery System) Coolant Failure. So will reliability plague Verstappen’s chances? And will Bearman be able to contend with the speed and grit of a four-time world champion?
Overall, Oliver Bearman is solidifying himself as a future prospect of the sport. Already challenging himself to outperform his own machinery. But to reach the front-runners, his brilliant racecraft needs to remain consistent.