The vibrant streets of Baku once again echoed with the roar of Formula 1 engines as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend got underway. Amid the dazzling cityscape and high-speed drama of the Baku City Circuit, all eyes were on the promising young Briton, Oliver Bearman, who found himself thrust into the spotlight with Haas. His strong performance during Friday's practice session has signalled that the American-led squad could be a dark horse in the midfield battle this weekend.
Bearman, who steps in for one of Haas’s established drivers as part of the team’s FP1 rookie program, delivered an assured and confident showing in a session marked by tricky track conditions and unpredictable winds. For fans who have been eagerly following the progress of Ferrari’s most acclaimed academy prospect, Bearman’s Baku run provided much to talk about. His deft handling of the demanding street circuit and quick adaptation to the VF-24 garnered praise from both within the paddock and the wider Formula 1 community.
But the young driver wasn’t the only story from Haas. The team as a whole exhibited marked progress, displaying consistent pace on both short and long runs. With a chassis that has struggled with tire management and outright speed in recent races, Haas’s newfound confidence in Baku is a breath of fresh air for their supporters. The technical team’s recent upgrades appeared to be working as hoped, with lap times suggesting a potential breakthrough in their season-long quest for points.
The unpredictable nature of the Baku City Circuit compels teams to gamble with their set-ups, balancing straight-line speed with the need for mechanical grip through the circuit’s tight twists and 90-degree corners. Bearman’s composed run, setting competitive lap times that nestled Haas within the top ten for much of FP1, was testament to his growing maturity and adaptability. It is rare to see a young driver handle the intricacies of an F1 car at such a high-pressure event, yet Bearman coped admirably, impressing not only his engineers but also many seasoned observers.
As the day progressed and the track rubbered in, Haas continued to fine-tune their set-up, with both drivers expressing satisfaction with the car’s balance—particularly on the all-important long runs that could decide Sunday’s tire strategies. Garage chatter indicates a level of optimism not heard from the team since the early part of last season. “We are very much in the fight,” stated a member of the technical team, alluding to the confidence that Haas could contest for Q3 and crucial championship points.
The significance of Bearman’s contribution cannot be overstated. By delivering solid data and maintaining a clean session, he enabled the team to extract more information from their Friday program than many rivals, some of whom struggled with minor incidents or traffic during their simulation runs. It’s also worth noting that Bearman’s performance reignites discussions surrounding F1’s next generation, as his feedback and pace prove he may not be far from a full-time seat in the future.
Looking ahead to the remainder of the Azerbaijan weekend, Haas faces intense competition from the likes of Alpine, Williams, and even Sauber. With temperatures set to rise and the promise of tighter qualifying margins, fans can expect a thrilling midfield scrap. For Bearman and Haas, the Friday showing in Baku isn’t just a flash in the pan—it’s a clear sign that with the right upgrades and young talent behind the wheel, the team is ready to shake up the grid.
