The Australian GP has been a tough learning curve for rookie Oliver Bearman after two crashes in practice sessions meant he couldn’t qualify. This was a huge disappointment for the Brit who starred as a super-sub last season.
Last season, Bearman stepped up for Ferrari in Saudi Arabia when Carlos Sainz was absent due to appendicitis. He later got the nod to drive for Haas after Kevin Magnussen got a one-race ban. He impressed on these two outings. However, when Haas needed the 19-year-old again, he struggled in the rain-soaked Brazilian GP. Conditions are likely to be the same tomorrow.
A wet Australian GP not what Oliver Bearman needs
Oliver Bearman has had a difficult opening weekend. He crashed his Haas during the first practice session and the car wasn’t fixed for the second session on Friday. During the Saturday morning practice session, Bearman once again spun out. The Brit completed 13 laps of running over the practice sessions, putting him on the back foot.
Q1 | Ollie’s reporting a problem with his gearbox and heads straight back into the pits.#HaasF1 #F1 #AusGP
— MoneyGram Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) March 15, 2025
It got even worse for Bearman as when he left the pits to begin qualifying, he realised the gearbox had broken. This could have been as a result of the incidents earlier on in the weekend. And it doesn’t get better for the rookie.
The last type of race Bearman would want is a wet one. Last season during the Brazilian GP, Bearman had many incidents where he span and hit the wall. After having crashed his VF-25, Bearman would want a steady race but as seen last season, he has to improve his wet weather skills.
Haas struggles for pace at the Australian GP
Haas were an unknown coming into the Australian GP. They had run the second most laps in pre-season testing, meaning the car was laden with fuel, making it heavier than their competitors. They had also progressed under new team principal Ayao Komatso. Expectations were that they would make a further step forward.
However, so far, this has not been the case. Bearman is yet to show any pace in the few laps he completed, while Esteban Ocon’s Q1 exit will be a concern. The Frenchman was the slowest of the nineteen drivers and both Haas cars will line up on the back row. Bearman conceded: “As a team we’ve struggled a little bit.”
However, the glimmer of hope for Haas is the weather conditions for tomorrow. Esteban Ocon excelled in the rain in Brazil and managed to get his Alpine onto the podium. The other hope is that it’s still early in the season and the American team will hope most of their rivals will also fail to score while Haas tries to improve the car.
