Oliver Bearman arrives in Madrid with a wide smile. Last week at Monza, Haas indeed returned empty-handed—both cars finished outside the points and top speed issues remained unfinished business. But beneath the disappointment, there was a silver lining: the upgrade package brought to Italy worked as expected. Now, at the brand-new Madring circuit, the British driver believes everything can change.
“I’m really excited for this weekend. On a new track, anyone can master the circuit,” said Oliver Bearman ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix. “Even though our race pace last Sunday wasn’t competitive, we’re all pleased to see that the upgrade introduced at Monza is working. So I’m approaching this weekend with optimism.”
Bearman also couldn’t hide his love for the racing atmosphere in Spain. “I love the energy of Spain. The fans treat Formula 1 almost like football—full of passion. I can’t wait to soak up that atmosphere,” he said. He also singled out one corner he’s most looking forward to: La Monumental, an absolute novelty for F1. “There are many interesting parts to Madring, but that’s the corner I can’t wait to tackle for real,” he stressed.
His teammate, Esteban Ocon, shares a similar view. According to him, Madring is an intriguing mix between a street circuit and a permanent track—similar to Miami—complete with a long banked corner. “It’s a challenging and fun track. The key is to get up to speed as quickly as possible,” Ocon said. “I’ve been working on the simulator and we’ve done our homework, so it’s a great opportunity to make a mark at Madring.”
For Haas, this weekend is more than just a race. Besides hosting the debut of a new circuit, it’s also a chance to prove that the Monza upgrade wasn’t a fluke. If Bearman and Ocon can be competitive on a track no one has ever driven, then the opportunity to score points is wide open—something the American team desperately needs to improve their standing in the constructors’ championship.
One thing is certain: Madring will be a true test for the entire grid. There’s no historical data, no proven base setup. All teams start from scratch, and that’s where track reading and rapid adaptation will make the difference. Haas may not be the favorite, but with renewed spirit and a working upgrade, they’re worth keeping an eye on.
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