Ollie Bearman Credits Haas Upgrade and Mindset Shift for Late-Season Surge

Ollie Bearman says there’s no single secret behind his impressive late-season form but rather a combination of car improvements, a refined weekend structure, and a more mature mental approach that has transformed his rookie Formula 1 campaign with Haas.

The 20-year-old Briton arrives in Las Vegas riding a wave of momentum after a string of strong results, including fourth place in Mexico City and sixth at Interlagos, collecting 24 points in just two races. His performances have helped lift Haas up the constructors’ standings and propelled him ahead of teammate Esteban Ocon in the drivers’ table.

Upgrades That Delivered

Bearman credits much of the recent progress to Haas’s VF-25 upgrade package, introduced in Austin, which featured revised floor geometry, updated rear corners, and new sidepod inlets.

“It definitely is down to the upgrade,” Bearman said ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. “I’m really proud of the team for what they did it was a risky move, but it’s yielded us points, which was the target.”

He added that while the gains weren’t dramatic, even small improvements can make a big difference in such a tightly packed field.

“It’s not a revolutionary upgrade, but it doesn’t have to be to have revolutionary results.”

A New Approach

Beyond the hardware, Bearman has also refined his personal routine. After the summer break, he implemented a more structured approach to race weekends one that balances technical preparation with mental focus.

“Before the summer break, I spent all my time thinking about driving and car setup,” he explained. “Now, I make sure that half an hour before a session, I stop working on that and focus on my mental side. I’ve found that to be really useful.”

Experience Paying Off

With more mileage under his belt, Bearman says he’s learned to better interpret the car’s behaviour at the limit, improving both confidence and consistency.

“The car has made steps in the right direction, but I’ve also gained experience of what it does near the edge. I’ve been able to increase my consistency not just with the car, but with my approach to the weekend.”

Learning from the Early Struggles

After a first half of the season marked by near-misses just outside the points, Bearman now views that period as essential groundwork.

“The first half of the season is exploratory you have to find what works for you and what doesn’t,” he said. “As long as you learn from mistakes, that’s the key. No one’s going to remember a ropey first half in a few years’ time.”

With Haas finding form and Bearman growing in confidence, the young Briton’s rookie season once promising now looks like the foundation for something far more substantial.

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Written by

James Rees

A passionate motorsport journalist from Wales, with over 30 years of love for the sport. A dedicated father of three, working as a content manager, covering the fast-paced world of Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula E, and IndyCar.

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