Oliver Bearman's tumultuous start to his full-time Formula 1 career continued at the Australian Grand Prix, where the rookie Haas driver experienced another crash during the final practice session, mirroring his earlier misfortune from Free Practice 1.
On March 14, 2025, Bearman crashed his Haas at Turn 10 after just 37 minutes of practice. The young British driver lost control of his vehicle, which resulted in significant damage, particularly to the right-hand side of the car, necessitating both engine and gearbox replacements before he could compete again.
Bearman described his crash, saying, “I just had a small mistake at Turn 10, which put me a bit wide... I unfortunately lost the car.” This mistake not only cost him precious track time but also meant he missed the entirety of the second practice session as the Haas team worked tirelessly to make repairs.
Returning to the track for the third session on March 15, expectations were high, especially since Bearman was eager to regain some lost confidence and track time. The weather was overcast at Albert Park, but the stakes were even higher for Bearman, who found himself under pressure after his earlier setback. Unfortunately, just minutes after the session began, Bearman suffered yet another incident.
While trying to find his rhythm on his first flying lap, Bearman veered slightly onto the grass at Turn 11, leading to another spin. His car became stuck in the gravel, resulting in yet another red flag and forcing him to miss the remainder of the session. With only three minutes registered on the clock, Bearman’s chances of gaining valuable data for qualifying were dashed once more.
Despite the rocky start, the rookie was determined. After reviewing his experiences, he maintained, “It’s by no means over. FP3 is a long session and then it’s qualifying.” Bearman’s resilience shows his willingness to push through the challenges, even when faced with setbacks. His eagerness to get back behind the wheel speaks volumes about his passion for the sport.
During the previous environment of pre-season testing, Bearman had enjoyed clear track conditions, with no major mechanical issues or accidents hindering his progress. But the dynamic changed drastically when it came to the first official race sessions, exposing the fierce nature of the competition and the need for absolute precision.
Team Principal Guenther Steiner echoed Bearman’s sentiments, expressing good faith about the young driver’s future potential. “Every rookie goes through tough weekends; those experiences will only make him stronger as he grows with the team.”
Bearman’s mishaps have inevitably delayed his acclimatization to Formula 1 racing, but they are also part of the learning curve many new drivers undergo, especially at such challenging tracks like Albert Park. The driver will have to identify the intricacies of the F1 circuits and adapt rapidly as the season progresses.
The Haas team will look to utilize the feedback from Bearman’s experiences to optimize performance for future races, especially as they hope to return stronger for the upcoming competitive schedule. For now, Bearman will need to focus on learning quickly from his past mistakes, ensuring he remains various adaptations for track conditions, and maintaining the built confidence required to compete at the high level of Formula 1.
With collective efforts from the Haas team and Bearman’s significant potential, the future looks promising as they prepare for the next race on the calendar. The hopes for the rookie remain high as he looks to turn around his fortunes and display the resilience typical of seasoned professionals.
Bearman’s next chance at redemption will come swiftly, as the qualifying sessions prompt drivers to push their limits. For Oliver Bearman, the determination to learn from these early challenges remains his driving force as he gears up for the rest of the season and aims to put his best foot forward.