Ollie Bearman's early end in Haas debut: A crash to forget

Dominika Jordan
Mar 14, 2025, 05:42 AM ETT

Ollie Bearman's highly anticipated full-season debut with Haas was cut short on Friday after a significant crash during the first practice session (FP1) ahead of the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park.

The driver's misfortune emerged from a pre-season where Haas enjoyed an unblemished record without a single red flag due to either crashes or reliability concerns. However, as fate would have it, Bearman lost control of his car at the high-speed Turn 10, resulting in a heavy collision with the barriers.

“I just had a small mistake at Turn 10, which put me a bit wide, and out there it’s very bumpy,” Bearman said after FP2. “Unfortunately, I lost the car.”

The result of the crash left Bearman's car heavily damaged, with the right side taking the brunt of the impact. Both the front and rear wheels were hanging onto the chassis by the tethers, indicating the severe impact of the crash.

Haas mechanics faced an uphill battle to repair the damage, which included essential components like the gearbox and power unit. Despite their relentless efforts to get the car back on track, the team was unable to complete repairs in time for FP2. Bearman did manage to get into the cockpit toward the session's end, but a last-minute lap proved impossible.

Reflecting on the crash, Bearman expressed both disappointment and confidence. “The guys did a great job to try to get the car back out, but we just ran out of time,” he said. “It’s by no means over. FP3 is a long session and then into qualifying.”

With warmer temperatures expected for the qualifying rounds and rain on the horizon for Sunday's race, Bearman remains cautiously optimistic. He even hinted at the unpredictable nature of such conditions, suggesting that the race could become a “roll of the dice.”

Bearman’s setback in FP1 might overshadow the remainder of his debut weekend, yet his determination remains unshaken. With FP3 and qualifying sessions still on the horizon, the young driver has opportunities to reclaim some lost ground.

As the chase for vital points continues in Melbourne, Bearman’s Haas team will be working around the clock to ensure his car is race-ready, aiming for a strong comeback despite the early mishap.