Ollie Bearman Sparks F1 Debate by Naming Max Verstappen as Greatest Ever
Formula One rising star Ollie Bearman has ignited a fresh wave of discussion in the motorsport world by publicly declaring his pick for the greatest driver in F1 history. The 20-year-old Haas driver, now in his second season, made the bold statement during a recent appearance on the High Performance Podcast, hosted by Jake Humphrey.
Bearman's Verdict on Hamilton vs. Verstappen
When asked about racing against the sport's elite, Bearman did not hesitate to crown Max Verstappen as the finest driver ever to grace the grid. This opinion comes at a sensitive time, with the 2026 season just kicking off at the Australian Grand Prix, where both Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton—who together hold an impressive eleven world championships—are vying to reclaim their titles.
The young Brit reflected on a memorable moment from last year's Mexico City Grand Prix, where he found himself racing wheel-to-wheel with multiple top drivers. "I was thinking that this was the first time I'd gone side by side with Lewis, Max, George and Piastri, all these drivers I've grown up watching," Bearman recounted. "Max has been on TV since 2016, when I was 11. Every F1 race I can remember has Max in it and certainly Lewis as well."
A Thrilling On-Track Experience
Bearman described the intense pressure and exhilaration of having Verstappen chasing him down during the race. "I had Max behind me, I had goosebumps driving around, I was like 'How cool is this, this is insane, this guy is the best F1 driver ever and he's chasing me down,'" he said. "He's putting me under so much pressure and I was like 'This is what I'm living for, this is my life.'"
That race proved to be a standout performance for Bearman, who finished in fourth place—matching Haas' best-ever result in Formula One, previously achieved by Romain Grosjean at the 2018 Austrian Grand Prix. His efforts earned him the prestigious Driver of the Day award, highlighting a remarkable achievement for both the driver and his team.
Post-Race Reflections and Team Ambitions
Following the event, an elated Bearman praised the strategic work of his team. "It was crazy. I'm so happy to take so many good points for the team, and we did a really fantastic job strategically, getting the car in the right window," he stated. "It felt great underneath me, so a perfect job. It's a feel-good moment. Also, to go side-by-side with Max is a very cool feeling. He's someone I have basically grown up watching in Formula 1, so it's awesome and I'm really proud of the job we did today."
Looking ahead, Bearman is partnered with Esteban Ocon for the second consecutive year at Haas. The duo aims to improve the team's standing in the Constructors' Championship after finishing eighth last season, with Bearman's confidence and recent performance providing a strong foundation for their 2026 campaign.
As the F1 community digests Bearman's comments, the debate over who truly deserves the title of greatest driver ever continues to fuel passionate discussions among fans and pundits alike, setting the stage for an electrifying season ahead.
