Lando Norris
McLaren
Mercedes
Red Bull
Ferrari
Williams
Racing Bulls
Aston Martin
Haas
Alpine
Oliver Bearman might be in his second F1 season, but he showed some veteran instinct during his battle against Arvid Lindblad at the Australian Grand Prix.
Bearman had a solid drive at Albert Park, managing to finish seventh behind all available drivers from the top four teams.
One of the key moments from the race came in Lap 41, as Oliver Bearman had to fend off Arvid Lindblad. Despite a strong move from Lindblad, Bearman managed to keep his recently gained position.
CHANGE MY MIND – Oliver Bearman will be the breakout Formula 1 star of 2026 👇
Do you agree with Jenson Button's assessment of Bearman's Australian Grand Prix performance?
The Racing Bulls rookie was driving very well up until that point. But after Bearman managed to overtake him, there wasn’t much he could do.
And it was this display of sharp instincts that impressed Jolyon Palmer, who gushed about Bearman’s awareness, despite his relative inexperience.
READ MORE: Five things we learned from the Australian Grand Prix as Mercedes dominate and Oscar Piastri crashes
Jolyon Palmer in awe of ‘really tidy’ racing from Oliver Bearman against Arvid Lindblad
Jolyon Palmer was highly impressed with Oliver Bearman’s ability to hold off Arvid Lindblad during the Australian Grand Prix.
Despite exhausting much of his battery to pass Lindblad, Bearman used his instincts and timing to ensure that Lindblad couldn’t take the position back.
“It’s dusty, dirty, and you’re carrying a lot of speed in. I have to say, I was really impressed with Bearman. He’s used the energy from his battery to make the pass.”
“Then he’s vulnerable for the rest of the lap. But he’s basically used old-school race craft to keep Lindblad behind. Braking late into the corners, shuffling into the outside. Really, really tidy stuff.”
Despite getting the best of him in Australia, Bearman was complimentary of Lindblad’s debut, suggesting that the rookie has a bright future in Formula 1.
READ MORE: Oliver Bearman admits he had to ‘make clear the struggles’ he was going through with Haas to Ferrari
Describe Arvid Lindblad’s F1 debut in one word… GO! 👇
Oliver Bearman looks set for sensational second season with Haas
Even with the new regulations in play, it cannot be understated just how good Oliver Bearman looked for Haas in Australia.
Jolyon Palmer has backed Bearman for success this season, but even he must have been surprised by the English driver’s performance.
Bearman, in his second season, looks ready to take a big leap. If he can start scoring points on a semi-regular basis for Haas, it will do wonders for his profile.
Expect Bearman’s rise to be one of the big stories during the course of this F1 season, as he emerges as one of the next great drivers.
Receive exclusive F1 news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
