Oliver Bearman rues where Haas are ‘struggling’ as F1 rookie is left with ‘tough’ challenge

Oliver Bearman climbed from P17 on the grid to finish the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix in eighth place yet the rookie racer still left Shanghai rueing where Haas are ‘struggling’.

The Briton again had a qualifying session to forget at the Shanghai International Circuit, with Bearman missing out on a Q2 spot by 0.095 seconds. But the 19-year-old overcame his poor grid position by capitalising on a one-stop strategy to help Haas claim a double-points finish.

Esteban Ocon made use of his P11 start and a one-stop strategy to claim a superb P5 result last Sunday after Ferrari’s double disqualification from the Chinese GP. Bearman was even in the top 10 before Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton lost their respective P5 and P6 results.

Oliver Bearman rues Haas struggling with top speed in the 2025 F1 Chinese Grand Prix

Bearman starting the Chinese Grand Prix on hard compound Pirelli tyres meant he could run long with the teenager’s first stint before switching to the quicker mediums on Lap 26 of 56. While mediums are meant to be less durable, Bearman also found great pace with the tyres.

Shanghai’s resurfaced track helped Haas’ Chinese GP performance as the smooth circuit let them run Bearman and Ocon’s cars closer to the ground than they were able to during their depressing season-opener in Australia, where they came last among the classified finishers.

READ MORE: Who is 2025 Haas driver Oliver Bearman? Everything to know

Yet the Chinese GP was still not perfect for Bearman, who admits that Haas are ‘struggling’ to extract the top speed of the VF-25. It is causing the Briton particular problems as he has to spend multiple laps preparing for and recovering from any attempt to make an overtake.

Bearman told RacingNews365: “It is tough to overtake in F1 and, especially at the moment, we are struggling with top speed. So, you really have to build up to overtake for two or three laps and be really smart.

“It is not like you just go for it – I’m building up for two or three laps prior and using my battery correctly and stuff, so I get one shot to overtake. Then I have to recharge my battery for another three or four laps. So, when it does actually come, it is a huge relief.”

Haas had the slowest top speed at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix

Bearman is right to note that Haas are struggling for top speed after the Chinese GP and will hope they can unlock more straight-line pace without compromising the VF-25’s downforce levels. He plus Ocon were the two slowest drivers through the speed trap during qualifying.

While Max Verstappen set the quickest time through the speed trap in his Red Bull at 339.6 km/h (211 mph), Bearman and Ocon ranked 19th and 20th at 329.3 km/h (204.6 mph) and 327.7 km/h (203.6 mph). Their lack of pace was a bigger issue in the race given the dirty air.

Yet Bearman overcame Haas’ top-speed problems to climb through the order and secure his best result for the American squad so far. Only when the Briton debuted for Ferrari and took P7 in the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has he finished a Formula 1 race higher than P8 yet.