Oliver Bearman broke into Q2 at the Barcelona Grand Prix after a frustrating final practice with the VF‑26.
The 21‑year‑old opened the weekend with rapid changes that left the car lagging; in FP3 he finished 17th, the lowest for a Haas driver in the final practice session.
Despite those setbacks, Bearman nailed nine laps in Q1, moving up to 11th and advancing to Q2—his best qualifying effort since Miami, where he had started 13th.
He described the car as “the worst I’ve ever driven,” noting its unpredictable handling and a “narrow window” that now seems barely attainable.
Long‑run data from FP2 showed a more encouraging trend: Bearman\’s averages placed him seventh on the track, indicating potential for better performance in race trim.
With Esteban Ocon qualifying 17th, a points finish seems unlikely for the Haas outfit, but Bearman is optimistic about competing for a strong position should chaos unfold.
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