Bearman Eyes 2026 with Mix of Excitement and Trepidation
British Formula 1 driver Ollie Bearman has described the looming uncertainty of the sport's 2026 rule overhaul as "horrible," even as he expresses optimism for his second season with the Haas team. The 20-year-old from Chelmsford spoke candidly as Haas pulled the covers off its 2026 car livery, now featuring prominent new sponsorship from Toyota Gazoo Racing.
Bearman, who made a stunning F1 debut for Ferrari in 2024 with a seventh-place finish in Saudi Arabia, reflected on a solid rookie year with Haas. He secured 13th in the 2025 championship with 41 points, outscoring his experienced teammate Esteban Ocon by three points. His standout performance was a superb fourth-place finish at the Mexican Grand Prix.
A Clean Slate and a Daunting Challenge
The sweeping new technical and sporting regulations set for introduction in 2026 represent a complete reset for all eleven teams on the grid. For a squad like Haas, which is yet to secure a podium in its decade in the sport, it is a crucial opportunity to leap forward.
"I feel these changes are the biggest in the history of Formula 1, so with that is a huge deal of excitement for me," Bearman stated. "I'm heading into a regulation change for the first time in my life, really. Last year, we had an idea of the car's competitiveness. That lack of knowledge heading into 2026 is good and bad. On one side, I feel like we can really have an impact straight away, but also it's horrible not knowing."
He added, with a laugh, "I would like to skip forward six months to see where we are, but I'm going to be giving it everything to make sure that where we are is as high up as possible."
Winter Preparation in the Mountains
Following a pattern set before his rookie year, when he trained with cycling champion Tadej Pogacar, Bearman has undertaken a rigorous off-season regime. After a complete break in December, he headed to the mountains for intensive preparation.
"I spent a lot of time in the mountains this winter break," Bearman revealed. "Not only is that really beneficial – the altitude for your health and training – but I was also able to conduct a training camp in the Dolomites, which was incredibly fun and very useful heading into the new season."
The young Briton's immediate focus is on track action. He will get his first taste of the new-spec car at a private team test in Barcelona next week, followed by the official pre-season tests in Bahrain next month. The 2026 season officially begins with the Australian Grand Prix on 8 March.
With a contract at Haas secured until the end of the 2026 season, Bearman's performances will be closely watched. Given his history with the Ferrari Driver Academy, he remains a candidate for a future seat with the Scuderia, adding an extra layer of intrigue to his development during this pivotal new era of Formula 1.
