Oliver Bearman outpaces Haas teammate in Belgian GP qualifying

Oliver Bearman outqualified Haas teammate Esteban Ocon by nearly seven-tenths of a second in Q1 at the Belgian Grand Prix on July 18, 2026. Bearman's 16th-place time left Ocon in 18th, though penalties will see Ocon start 17th on the grid.

What happened in qualifying?

Ocon struggled with top-speed issues throughout the weekend, losing over five-tenths on the straights. He also faced rear downforce problems, making the car unstable. Despite these challenges, Ocon remained calm, acknowledging the team's limitations.

Bearman, meanwhile, delivered a strong performance, with Ocon noting, "Only Ollie's car works as it should." The British rookie's consistency in qualifying has become a highlight for Haas this season.

Why it matters for Oliver Bearman

This marks the fifth time in six races that Bearman has outqualified Ocon. His ability to extract performance from the VF-26, even when the car is struggling, demonstrates his growing adaptability in Formula 1.

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has praised Bearman's technical feedback, which has helped the team identify issues more quickly. The rookie's progress is a bright spot in an otherwise difficult season for Haas.

What comes next for Haas?

The team will focus on resolving the top-speed and downforce issues before the next race. Ocon remains optimistic, citing past successes at Spa, including a fifth-place finish last year.

Bearman's performance adds pressure on Haas to improve the car's reliability. With the mid-season break approaching, the team will have time to address these problems and support Bearman's development.