Damon Hill has privately issued a two-word verdict on Haas rookie Oliver Bearman after his first F1 races of 2025

One of the most intriguing storylines that is running throughout the 2025 Formula 1 season is how each of the rookies on the grid are getting on.

Each of them has very different goals, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes expected to score far more points than the likes of Oliver Bearman at Haas, and Gabriel Bortoleto at Sauber.

Liam Lawson has already been demoted by Red Bull, while further down the paddock, Jack Doohan has earned a stay of execution at Alpine following pressure from the team’s growing list of reserve drivers.

Bearman was upset to not be technically considered a rookie at the beginning of the campaign by Formula 1, having started three races last season.

However, the vast majority of fans have declared that the British teenager should be consideered in the same group as Antonelli, Bortoleto and Isack Hadjar.

So far, he’s performed extremely well, and already has two points finishes to his name.

Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill is also a fan, and has shared his private verdict on the 19-year-old.

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

Damon Hill declares Oliver Beaman is a ‘lovely man’ after start to the 2025 F1 season

Journalist Christian Hewgill was speaking on The Fast and The Curious Podcast having interviewed Bearman ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

He shared after their chat: “He is the nicest, nicest man, and also it’s refreshing when you hear people like across the paddock say, how lovely is Ollie?

“I don’t know if you heard, but whe we had Damon on the other day, I said, Ollie Bearman’s coming up and Damon [Hill] just went, ‘Lovely man!’

“So, yeah, everybody really likes him, it’s lovely, there’s so much warmth for him and it’s really nice and we appreciate his time.”

READ MORE: All to know about Haas F1 Team from team principal to Ferrari and Toyota ties

Damon Hill has proved that he’s one of Oliver Bearman’s biggest fans

Bearman has scored six points this season, but despite teammate Esteban Ocon sitting four places above him in the drivers’ championship, he’s proved to be more than a match for the experienced Frenchman.

He’s finished in the top 10 more than Ocon this year, although the one-time race winner’s P5 in China is what sets him apart from the rookie.

Damon Hill is a big fan of Bearman, and wants him to be less harsh on himself after the Brit admitted he felt like an ‘absolute idiot’ watching back his debut in Jeddah with Ferrari last year.

The 19-year-old clearly has extremely high standards for himself, and needs to be realistic about his prospects racing for Haas this season.

Ocon has congratulated Bearman on his performances this year, but he might not be so happy if he starts to consistently beat him, but Haas will be delighted that they’ve brought in two extremely competitive drivers.