MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Grand Prix is a significant event on the Formula 1 calendar, cherished by Oliver Bearman for several reasons, such as the sunny South Florida atmosphere and the vibrant fanfare. It’s also the first of three U.S. races for the Haas Formula 1 team, which is under American leadership. The 19-year-old rookie, participating at the Miami International Autodrome for the inaugural time, recognized the challenges that lay ahead for Haas.
“I foresee a tough weekend,” Bearman stated, given the conditions and noting that it’s a Sprint weekend. His previous experiences in Brazil last year and China this year have required quick adaptability as well, and he anticipates similar challenges in Miami. “I don’t really know how it’s going to go, but I expect that if I have a good feeling with the car, I hope to be able to get as much as I can out of it,” he added.
This marks Haas’ first opportunity of the season to perform in front of its local fans, but the kickoff didn’t go as smoothly as hoped. During Friday’s practice, Bearman ended his session prematurely due to a crash, while his teammate Esteban Ocon received a warning for obstructing McLaren’s Lando Norris.
The Miami Sprint race on Saturday saw Bearman climb the field to what could have been an impressive eighth-place finish and a point for Haas. Unfortunately, a five-second penalty for an unsafe release deprived him of that point. Later, in a disappointing qualifier, Bearman finished last, expressing frustration over a “too messy of a lap” and an overall “messy session.”
Despite these setbacks, Haas remains optimistic about point opportunities on Sunday, particularly as Ocon secured ninth in qualifying, marking his first top-10 qualifier with Haas. Ocon felt it was his best qualifying performance all year, though acknowledged the team needed consistency, as differing car setups introduced performance disparities.
Haas, since its inception in 2016, has struggled with consistency but saw improvements last year after Ayao Komatsu took over from Guenther Steiner as team principal. The team finished seventh in the 2024 constructor standings, a rebound from the last place in 2023. However, a win or podium finish remains elusive, though momentum is building with Bearman’s potential and the experience of Grand Prix winner Ocon.
Speaking of his drivers, Komatsu praised their roles in guiding the team forward, highlighting Bearman’s rapid development after his substitute race for Ferrari and Ocon’s victory in the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix with Alpine before joining Haas.
Haas, amid a busy early 2025 season, has placed in the top eight thrice over five weeks and currently holds sixth in the standings with 20 points. Bearman has already secured 13 points, contributing significantly to the team’s progress. His performance in the Chinese Grand Prix, assisted by disqualifications, elevated both him and Ocon to higher positions.
Bearman consistently proves to be a reliable point-scorer, despite an unfortunate start in Australia. Meanwhile, Ocon compliments Bearman’s readiness and capability as a rookie, noting the British driver’s professionalism and technical insights. As the team advances, Ocon seeks to continue his positive Miami record, having finished in the points in each of his previous races in the city. Sunday will mark his first Miami race with Haas, hoping to add more to his and the team’s tally.