Ollie Bearman's Late Season Surge: Car Upgrades and Mindset Transformation

Ollie Bearman attributes his impressive late-season performance with Haas to a combination of factors, including significant car upgrades, a refined weekend structure, and a more mature mental approach. This blend has transformed his promising rookie year into a substantial success.

Why it matters:

Bearman's surge, marked by strong finishes in Mexico City (4th) and Interlagos (6th), has yielded 24 crucial points for Haas, helping them climb the constructors' standings and allowing Bearman to surpass his teammate, Esteban Ocon, in the drivers' championship. This unexpected boost could significantly alter perceptions of Haas's potential and Bearman's future in F1, especially after a challenging start to the season.

The Details:

• Car Upgrades: A substantial upgrade package introduced in Austin for the VF-25 played a critical role. This included revisions to the floor, rear corner, sidepod inlets, and mirrors.
  • Bearman emphasized the impact: "It definitely is down to the upgrade, and I'm really proud of the team for what they did with that... it's yielded us some points, which is what the target was."
  • He noted that in the current era of F1, even non-revolutionary upgrades can produce significant results due to how close the field is.
• Weekend Structure: Since the summer break, Bearman implemented a more structured approach to his race weekends.
  • Mental Preparation: He now dedicates the final half-hour before each session to mental preparation, focusing on his mindset and setting clear goals, rather than solely on car setup and driving improvements.
  • This shift helped him transition from constantly seeking marginal driving improvements to optimizing his overall approach.
• Increased Experience: Accumulating mileage in the Haas machinery has deepened his understanding of the car's limits.
  • He's gained consistency in identifying the car's feedback when nearing the edge, improving his ability to push while maintaining control.

The Big Picture:

Bearman's early season was marked by exploratory learning and near-misses. He views the first half as crucial for understanding what works and what doesn't. His current success demonstrates the importance of learning from mistakes, adjusting strategies, and leveraging both technical advancements and personal development.

What's next:

With the lessons learned and the momentum gained, Bearman is confident about his trajectory. His impressive rookie season, initially marked by challenges, is now culminating in a strong performance that suggests a bright future. If he continues this development, his 'ropey first half' will indeed be a distant memory, solidifying his position as a valuable asset in Formula 1.