Who Is the Haas Rookie Who Fought Verstappen at the Mexico City GP?
The 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix left drivers with a mix of emotions, from joy at their personal success in a tough race to feeling sour at their poor luck. One driver had his heart on full display after watching his family react to his greatest career performance yet. A rookie in a back-of-the-grid car, Ollie Bearman stunned everyone by slipping past four-time World Champion Max Verstappen in the early laps and riding into third position, ending in P4 for the best result Haas has seen this season. For anyone who didn’t know him before, Ollie Bearman is a name that they’ll now remember as a fresh face with a promising career ahead.
Oliver “Ollie” Bearman gained his status as an up-and-coming rookie after a long and decorated karting career. From there, he moved on to Formula 4, achieving a staggering number of podiums and victories through his two years in the program. During his second season in F4, Bearman also began racing occasionally in Formula 3 before switching completely to F3 in 2022. This was also when he joined the Ferrari Driver Academy, beginning a long-standing relationship with the Italian motorsport group that will likely have an impact on his future in Formula 1. In 2023, Bearman began racing in the Formula 2 feeder series. His F2 career was plagued by continuous accidents that stunted his chance at wins, but he nevertheless was able to take high positions in many of the races he took part in.
Bearman made his debut in F1 in 2024, standing in for Carlos Sainz, driving for Ferrari at the time, in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Ollie held his own in a battle against some of the biggest names in the sport, including current WDC leader Lando Norris, and managed to score points in his first-ever Formula 1 race. In 2025, he was brought on to the Haas F1 team, where he had previously been a reserve driver, and he has achieved 32 points in the season going into the Brazilian Grand Prix; currently, he sits at 13th in the WDC standings. His skills have impressed crowds and teams alike, and there is speculation that he may be the next prospect for Ferrari the next time they have an opening.
