Oliver Bearman has received high praise from F1 TV reporters Alex Brundle and Lawrence Barretto.
Aside from the British driver's violent crash during the Japanese Grand Prix, he has had an impressive start to the season. Heading into the race weekend at Suzuka, Bearman was fifth in the drivers' championship standings, but the crash, which was through no fault of his own, has seen him slip to seventh.
"Fifth position in the championship, Ollie Bearman at the moment," Brundle said on F1 TV ahead of the race. "When you watch through China, he's holding pace with Max Verstappen through the middle of the race on the hard tyre.
"And it's a decent car underneath him as well, doing a great job. Esteban Ocon sits just behind him and just outside the points, but it's a heartening beginning to the season for Haas, but some outstanding performances for Bearman."
Barretto added: "And I think it's quite easy to forget this is only his second full season in Formula 1. The fact he's adapted to these new 2026 cars so quickly as well speaks volumes of the comfort level he's got in his own ability, but the way that he's working in such harmony with that team at Haas. You talk to the boys and girls there and they love working with him."
The 20-year-old driver crashed into the barriers at 50G during the Japanese Grand Prix. As he came up behind Alpine driver Franco Colapinto, who was harvesting energy at the time, Bearman took avoiding action. He dipped onto the grass before gliding back across the track and into the barriers.
While he limped away, he was later given the all-clear from the medical centre. "Everything is good, I'm absolutely fine," Bearman said afterwards.
"[It] was a really scary moment that happened out there but everything is okay, which is the main thing.
"The car is a bit worse for wear but we have a month now to reset and come back. I can only apologise from the bottom of my heart to the team for that because it's a lot of work for them."
Photos from Japanese GP - Sunday
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