Summary
- Bearman is preparing for a potential leadership role at Haas after Ocon leaves.
- The Briton credits his teammate with helping him understand the responsibilities of an F1 driver.
- Câmara is the leading candidate for 2027, but Haas has not announced its choice.
Oliver Bearman is preparing to take on greater responsibility at Haas in 2027, with Esteban Ocon’s departure creating the possibility that the Briton becomes the team’s most experienced Formula 1 driver.
Speaking during Thursday’s press conference at Sepang, Bearman said his partnership with Ocon had helped him understand how a driver contributes beyond the cockpit. He now sees the change in Haas’s line-up as another opportunity to develop within F1.
Bearman looks towards a leadership role
Bearman explained that he could become a more established reference within the team, depending on who replaces Ocon. His assessment remained conditional: Haas has confirmed the Frenchman’s departure, but has not named his successor.
“I’m looking forward to coming into a new role maybe within the team as the leader,” Bearman said.
Asked whether he felt ready to lead, he pointed to improvements in his communication with engineers, understanding of development and ability to help the team extract performance. For Bearman, the next step involves how he works with Haas as well as how quickly he drives.
What Bearman learned from Ocon
Bearman praised Ocon’s contribution during their partnership and expressed regret at his departure. He highlighted both the Frenchman’s speed and the example he had provided through his work with the team.
The Briton described a substantial change in expectations when moving from junior racing to Formula 1. In the lower categories, a driver largely follows the team’s instructions; at this level, engineers also look to the driver for direction, motivation and development priorities.
Ocon helped Bearman adapt to that responsibility. The younger driver believes he has made meaningful progress since his first season and is looking forward to applying that experience in a different role.
Haas confirmed that Ocon will leave at the end of the 2026 season, opening one of the remaining places on next year’s grid. The Frenchman will complete the current campaign alongside Bearman. GRANDE PRÊMIO
Câmara leads the race for the vacant seat
GRANDE PRÊMIO understands that Rafael Câmara is closing in on the Haas seat, while Leonardo Fornaroli has been informed that he is no longer in contention. Toyota-backed Ryō Hirakawa remains the alternative in the selection process.
That makes Bearman’s comments particularly relevant. If Haas chooses Câmara, the Briton would partner a driver beginning his Formula 1 career and bring the experience of two full seasons with the organisation.
However, Bearman’s remarks do not constitute confirmation of Câmara’s signing. The distinction between the current favourite and the officially announced line-up remains essential until Haas makes its decision public. The latest developments are detailed in GRANDE PRÊMIO’s report on Câmara’s candidacy and Fornaroli’s exit from contention.
Formula 1 returns this weekend, from 2–4 October, to Malaysia, which hosts the Bahrain Grand Prix. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action at Sepang.
F1 today: FAQ
What time is F1 qualifying at Sepang?
Qualifying starts on Saturday, 3 October, at 16:00 Malaysia time. That is 09:00 BST in the UK, 04:00 EDT in New York and Toronto, 01:00 PDT in Los Angeles and Vancouver, 13:30 IST in India and 18:00 AEST in Sydney.
Did Lewis Hamilton receive a grid penalty for the Bortoleto incident?
No. Hamilton received a warning after impeding Gabriel Bortoleto during FP2 at Sepang. Ferrari was fined €10,000, but Hamilton will not lose grid positions over the incident.
Why were F1 lap times at Sepang over four seconds slower than expected?
Pirelli identified low grip, dust and an abrasive surface that increased tyre sliding and degradation. Friday’s benchmark was more than four seconds slower than its qualifying simulation reference, rather than four seconds slower than the 2017 race weekend.
Why could Bearman take a bigger role at Haas in 2027?
Ocon’s departure could leave Bearman as the team’s most experienced Formula 1 driver, depending on who takes the vacant seat.
