Ayao Komatsu says Ollie Bearman shares one ‘amazing’ quality with Max Verstappen

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Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has praised Ollie Bearman for his ‘amazing’ adaptability with category and regulation changes, likening him to Max Verstappen.

The 2026 regulations have been scrutinised by drivers, teams, fans and experts ever since they came into effect. Verstappen has been the rules’ harshest critic, even threatening to retire from F1 over the changes.

Surprisingly, Haas have been a team that have adapted rather well to the regulations, with Bearman currently sitting eighth in the standings with 17 points. The American outfit are sixth in the constructors’ championship and have been surpassing expectations thus far.

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The regulations have caught out the young Brit, however, with Bearman suffering a 50G crash at Suzuka as the closing speed of Franco Colapinto’s car caused him to lose his VF-26.

He has not scored points in the last two events, but nevertheless, Bearman has adapted seemingly to the new rules. Haas boss Komatsu notes that he never saw it as an issue, as he has always managed to adapt throughout his career.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Oliver Bearman from F1 stats to net worth

Ayao Komatsu says Ollie Bearman and Max Verstappen have ‘amazing’ adaptability

The 21-year-old has always looked to adapt to better his performance in F1. In fact, Bearman changed his driving style to battle Verstappen in Mexico last year, which earned him a career-best finish of P4.

Speaking via Essential F1, Komatsu shared how Bearman did not see the regulation changes as a problem, as he has been driving different machinery throughout his career. His exploits on the simulator, just like Verstappen, puts him in a good position.

“One of the very interesting things Ollie said to me before the season started was, ‘I treat this as a completely different formula this year,” said Komatsu.

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“But it’s not a problem for me,’ because every single year, coming from go-karting to Formula 4 to Formula 3, Formula 2 to F1, almost every year he’s been changing a category.

“So, exactly to your point ‘25, he’s done F1, let’s say version one, ’26, F1 version two. And then also those younger generation, they adapt so quickly.

“All these switches on the steering wheel, their generation, gaming generation… Ollie [is] on the sim racing so much. I think people like Ollie, Gabriel Bortoleto, Max, they’re on the sim all the time, right so these guys are very, very quick to adapt.

“I mean, that doesn’t mean to say Esteban’s too slow to adapt. Esteban again, with his work ethic and attention to detail, he’s really suited for this type of formula and to get the best out of it. But in terms of adaptability, these young generations are amazing.”