Oliver Bearman, the 20-year-old Haas rookie, fought back tears after an impressive fourth-place finish at the Mexican Grand Prix, a result that matched the team`s best performance in its nine-year Formula 1 history. His father and girlfriend celebrated this monumental achievement, a clear sign of the emotional weight of the moment.
«It`s truly special,» Bearman shared with ViaPlay, adding with a chuckle, «You didn`t need to show me her! Now I`m emotional.»
At one point, Bearman was even poised for a fairytale podium finish, thanks to early race drama. Fans witnessed a genuine coming-of-age spectacle on lap six of the thrillingly chaotic race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
As Lewis Hamilton, a driver Bearman might someday replace at Ferrari, overshot Turn 4, Max Verstappen also ran deep, compromising Kimi Antonelli`s exit. Seizing the moment, Bearman, who had been keenly following the Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes ahead, boldly darted up the inside.
Suddenly, he was locked in a wheel-to-wheel battle with Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion and widely considered one of F1`s greatest drivers.
Bearman later quipped, «Honestly, I was sh*****g myself, going side by side with Max.»
What followed was an improbable drag race: Bearman`s Haas against Verstappen`s Red Bull. Bearman emerged victorious, holding his position despite a breathtaking sideways moment through the Esses. He climbed to fourth, then swiftly to third after Hamilton received a time penalty. Only Verstappen`s unique strategy prevented Haas from securing their much-desired podium celebration.
Nevertheless, Bearman`s drive was nothing short of brilliant. Like his fellow rookies this season, he consistently looked comfortable competing at the front, demonstrating incredible highs despite the inevitable challenges of a debut year.
«It`s incredibly cool to perform well alongside drivers I`ve admired since I started watching F1,» he reflected. «Having them in my mirrors during the race was probably the most pressure I`ve felt… It`s a fantastic feeling, and I never expected to be battling these top cars this year or at this stage of my career. It gives me great hope for the future, and I hope this becomes a regular occurrence, not just a one-off.»
Indeed, few would dispute his confidence. While all rookies — Bearman, Antonelli, Racing Bulls` Isack Hadjar, and Sauber`s Gabriel Bortoleto — have faced their share of ups and downs, they have consistently surpassed expectations.
Ferrari, ever vigilant, closely monitored Bearman`s progress. His Formula 1 debut with the Scuderia at last year`s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, stepping in for Carlos Sainz, cemented his status as a key part of Ferrari`s future, especially during what is currently a period of uncertainty for the team. Team boss Frédéric Vasseur was visibly impressed.
«At one point, I genuinely thought he might get a podium,» Vasseur commented. «He performed exceptionally well, but if you look at his entire season, he`s consistently delivered. Often, he encountered small issues in qualifying or the race, but this weekend, everything clicked. He made zero mistakes, and it paid off beautifully.»
Bearman`s stellar performance offered a much-needed beacon of optimism for the tifosi in what has been a profoundly disappointing year for Ferrari. After narrowly missing the constructors` championship last year and welcoming the statistically greatest driver of all time, Lewis Hamilton, the 2025 season was widely anticipated as Ferrari`s long-awaited resurgence.
Instead, F1`s perennial underachiever has delivered yet another deflating season, facing the prospect of its third winless year in a decade and its first since 2021. The resulting tensions and frustrations are palpable.
Last month, Ferrari chairman John Elkann publicly reaffirmed his «full confidence» in Frédéric Vasseur, a key figure in bringing Hamilton to the team. Yet, despite Vasseur`s new contract in July, rumors linking Ferrari to former Red Bull boss Christian Horner persist — though sources tell ESPN these claims are unfounded. This ongoing speculation underscores the immense pressure on the team to finally replicate the dynastic success of Michael Schumacher, Jean Todt, and Ross Brawn in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
This climate of uncertainty extends beyond Vasseur`s leadership.
While Lewis Hamilton inevitably faced immense pressure to justify his reputation and reported $70 million contract, the growing speculation surrounding Charles Leclerc`s future has become increasingly difficult to ignore. Since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, Italian media — sometimes well-informed, often prone to hyperbole, occasionally a problematic mix of both — has suggested that Leclerc and his agent, Nicolas Todt, are seriously considering options beyond 2026, when his contract expires. His decision will largely depend on Ferrari`s competitiveness under the new regulations commencing next year.
Leclerc, widely regarded as F1`s premier qualifier and a driver consistently denied a championship-contending car, would attract numerous suitors if he chose to seek refuge from Maranello. Such a departure would be devastating for the team. Nothing would better symbolize Ferrari`s enduring Formula 1 struggles than Leclerc — «Mr. Ferrari,» «Il Predestinato,» the Monaco native who dreamed only of racing for the Prancing Horse — deciding he must leave to achieve his championship aspirations.
Regarding Hamilton, several senior paddock figures have hinted to ESPN that, given his current performances, the seven-time world champion might not be offered another contract when his current one ends in late 2026. While this seems premature, it`s evident that the synergy between the British driver and the Italian team hasn`t quite materialized this year, even if his outright pace relative to Leclerc hasn`t been as poor as some critics suggest.
Hamilton consistently stated his goal was to be competitive in 2026, not 2025, a point reinforced by the nature of this season. Expectations on both sides are high for next season: Hamilton will anticipate a superior car and a more cohesive operational structure, while Ferrari will expect a driver who lives up to Hamilton`s superstar billing. These two elements will likely be intertwined.
Regardless of what unfolds in 2026 with Ferrari`s car and its drivers, the Mexico race highlighted the robust talent pipeline within the sport. Asked about the timeline for a Ferrari move at Monza in September, Bearman stated:
«Of course, that`s my ultimate life goal,» he affirmed. «Getting a taste of it last year was a huge motivation. My career currently lies with Haas, and I need to prove I`m capable of consistent top-level performances before aiming for a top team.»
Bearman`s impressive drive to fourth in Mexico City unequivocally demonstrated his capability and comfort operating at the sharp end of the grid.
The Year of the Rookie
It would be remiss not to acknowledge the other promising young talents on the grid in an article celebrating Bearman`s rookie season. Deciding the «Rookie of the Year» award will be incredibly challenging, as four drivers present strong cases. Bearman`s Mexico performance was particularly remarkable given Haas`s smaller operation compared to its rivals, showcasing his continuous improvement.
Hadjar`s podium finish at Zandvoort was spectacular, especially considering his impressive recovery after crashing out on the formation lap of his Australian debut. His strong mid-season form even led to speculation about what Verstappen might achieve in a Racing Bulls car. Hadjar now appears to be the frontrunner to partner Verstappen at Red Bull next season, a fitting reward for his superb year.
Bortoleto may not have had a car capable of matching some of these heroics, leading to less spectacular results. However, he has shown remarkable growth as a rookie, with finishes like sixth place in Hungary hinting at his considerable talent.
Then there`s Antonelli. The Mercedes teenager`s season has been the «wild rollercoaster» team boss Toto Wolff predicted, and he has arguably faced the most intense pressure of any rookie this year. After a concerning dip in form mid-season, the Italian seems to have rediscovered his stride, securing points in five of the last seven races, including a sixth-place finish ahead of teammate George Russell on Sunday. This turnaround was rewarded with Mercedes` recent confirmation that he will remain with the team alongside Russell in 2026. The Silver Arrows` high-risk strategy of throwing the 19-year-old into the deep end could well pay significant dividends next season.
Liam Lawson technically qualifies as a rookie, set to complete his first full season despite prior stints with Red Bull`s junior team in 2023 and 2024. While he might seem like an anomaly in this class, he deserves recognition for his truly admirable job reviving his career at Racing Bulls after a poorly managed, two-race Red Bull stint that could have shattered another driver`s confidence.
Red Bull and Racing Bulls now face a difficult decision regarding Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, both unfortunate victims of the immense challenge of being Verstappen`s teammate. Sources suggest Lawson will be retained alongside Red Bull`s Formula 2 junior Arvid Lindblad. The potential departure of 25-year-old Tsunoda serves as another stark reminder of the rapid generational shift occurring in Formula 1.
Such a pronounced generational change is remarkable to witness. Lando Norris, part of the last highly touted rookie class in 2019 (which included Russell and Alex Albon), now leads the championship ahead of his third-year teammate Oscar Piastri. Like their predecessors, the «Class of 2025» appears destined to be remembered as an extraordinarily special group in Formula 1 history.
Miquel Tortosa