Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu has clearly expressed his expectations for Oliver Bearman in the second half of the season. He wants Bearman to not only gain more experience but also to truly make his mark on the team.
Expectations around Bearman have significantly increased. Komatsu makes it clear that the British driver is no longer being judged solely on his potential, but now on his tangible results. “He’s a great guy – he has a fun personality and a positive aura that motivates everyone,” Komatsu tells Formula 1. “Our goal this year is to consistently showcase his talent in the remaining races. Even though he’s a rookie and only 20 years old, he is a Formula 1 driver. He needs to help move the team forward.”
The Brit has had his fair share of highs and lows this season. For instance, he recently impressed with a commendable sixth place at the Dutch GP in Zandvoort, but earlier this year he made a painful mistake by crashing in the pit lane during his home race at Silverstone. “Consistency is key for him. You can’t waste a session or a lap, and you mustn’t crash. And he needs to learn to get even more out of the engineers. That way, he’ll get a better car, better information about preparing the tires, and he’ll score more points,” Komatsu emphasizes.
