Shanghai, China – Haas F1 Team driver Ollie Bearman expressed surprise at his strong performance during Sprint Qualifying for the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, securing a ninth-place starting position for Saturday’s sprint race. The British driver, who finished seventh in the opening round in Australia last weekend, admitted he hadn’t anticipated being in contention for points at the Shanghai International Circuit.
Bearman’s impressive showing came after a consistent pace throughout Friday’s Sprint Qualifying. He finished seventh in the single, one-hour practice session (FP1) and then advanced to SQ3, the final qualifying session. “We showed really good pace already from lap one of FP1 and we were able to build on that and go forward,” Bearman said after the session. “It was a tough session, the balance was a bit on edge and difficult to put the lap together but we got there in the complete and happy with P9 today.”
With points awarded to the top eight finishers in the sprint race, Bearman believes a points finish is within reach. He noted a noticeable improvement in pace compared to the Australian Grand Prix. “On the face of it, I’m quite impressed and surprised by the gap to the leaders,” he added. “We seem to have closed it a little bit compared to last week and honestly prior to the weekend, I was not expecting to be in the fight for the top eight since we expected the four teams to be so far ahead.”
Closing the Gap to Frontrunners
Bearman’s assessment suggests a shift in the competitive landscape, with Red Bull Racing, traditionally a dominant force in Formula 1, appearing less formidable than expected. “At the end, that was not really the case and Red Bull don’t seem to have incredible pace,” Bearman stated. “And it looks like if we get everything right tomorrow One can actually score some points, and then obviously in the race on Sunday, that’s where it gets serious.” He will start the 19-lap sprint race directly behind the Red Bull of reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
The Haas team is buoyed by Bearman’s performance, particularly after he secured points in the Australian Grand Prix. The team’s momentum is a welcome change, as they aim to consistently challenge the top teams in the sport.
Ocon Faces Challenges with Car Performance
While Bearman celebrated a successful qualifying session, his teammate, Esteban Ocon, experienced a more frustrating day. Ocon narrowly missed out on a place in SQ3, finishing 12th. He expressed dissatisfaction with his car’s performance, stating, “Not really pleased, we can’t be pleased with that.”
Ocon acknowledged that improvements had been made throughout Friday’s practice sessions, but emphasized the need for further investigation to address underlying issues. “We are working hard to obviously get the car where we want it to be and I think that was slightly better from FP1 to now,” he said. “I think there are still quite a few things that we need to obviously investigate to get it better for tomorrow. There is potential that we can get it better so we need to try and obviously get the maximum out of it tomorrow and hopefully get on top of our issues.”
The Chinese Grand Prix marks a return to the calendar after a four-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Shanghai International Circuit presents a unique challenge for drivers and teams, with its long straights and demanding corners. The track’s characteristics often lead to exciting racing and strategic opportunities.
The Sprint race on Saturday will provide valuable data and insights for both Haas drivers as they prepare for the main Grand Prix on Sunday. Bearman’s unexpected competitiveness and Ocon’s quest to unlock his car’s potential will be key storylines to watch as the weekend unfolds. The focus now shifts to optimizing car setups and race strategies to maximize points-scoring opportunities.
What impact will Bearman’s strong qualifying have on his race pace? And can Ocon and the Haas team resolve the issues hindering his performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
