Ferrari Veteran Jock Clear Believes Oliver Bearman Has World-Champion Potential

Ferrari senior performance engineer Jock Clear is convinced that Oliver Bearman has all the ingredients to become a future Formula 1 world champion. Citing the young Brit's impressive rookie season, where he consistently outperformed experienced teammate Esteban Ocon, Clear highlighted Bearman's raw pace and exceptional intelligence as key indicators of his top-tier potential.

Why it matters:

Endorsements from respected figures like Clear carry significant weight in the F1 paddock. This public vote of confidence not only elevates Bearman's status but also signals Ferrari's long-term planning, potentially positioning him as a future successor to Charles Leclerc. For a team that has struggled with driver consistency in the post-Schumacher era, identifying and nurturing a potential champion is paramount.

The details:

• Clear stated, "Ollie has got the performance, and he's super intelligent, and with those two attributes, I think there's no reason he can't be a future world champion."
• On-track performance: Bearman concluded his first full F1 season with a strong 41-point haul, regularly beating former race winner Esteban Ocon and challenging for a podium in Mexico.
• Rapid development: While acknowledging a "horrific start" in Melbourne, Clear praised how quickly Bearman learned, noting his pace was evident throughout the year.
• High praise: Clear compared his early assessment of Bearman to his initial impressions of Charles Leclerc back in 2018, suggesting a similar trajectory for greatness.

What's next:

Bearman is set to continue his development with Haas, the Ferrari-affiliated team, for another season. His performance will be under intense scrutiny as he vies for a potential race seat with Ferrari. Clear's comments put pressure on Bearman to deliver but also solidify his position as one of the most highly-rated young talents on the grid, making his progression one of the key storylines to watch in the coming seasons.