# Oliver Bearman and Haas F1 performance challenges

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/oliver-bearman-and-haas-f1-performance-challenges
> Updated: 2026-10-03T10:29:13.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 2.

Haas F1 driver Oliver Bearman has faced consecutive setbacks during qualifying sessions in recent Grand Prix events.

During the Spanish Grand Prix at the Madrid circuit, Bearman missed qualifying entirely following a heavy crash in the third free practice session. The impact at Turn 11 caused significant damage to the front and rear of his vehicle. While Bearman was unharmed, the team could not complete repairs in time, forcing him to start the race from the back of the grid.

In a subsequent event at Sepang, Bearman failed to progress past the first qualifying session. The Haas F1 Team admitted to an operational setup error during the second practice session, which Bearman described as a “total waste of time” due to the resulting lack of reference data. This technical error, combined with high tire degradation, contributed to his elimination in Q1.

At the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, Bearman reported a recurring issue with technical preparation. He stated that a significant setup error by the Haas team during the second practice session (FP2) left the car in a condition that “we would never intend to use in a race.” This incorrect configuration again left him without sufficient data to prepare for qualifying, contributing to his elimination in Q1 with an 18th-place finish.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-03: Bortoleto and Bearman face setbacks at Bahrain Grand Prix

Gabriel Bortoleto apologized to Carlos Sainz after a collision during the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia ruined both drivers' races. Meanwhile, Oliver Bearman blamed a Haas setup error for his poor qualifying.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/haas-f1-team-setup-error-compromises-oliver-bearmans-qualifying

### 2026-09-12: Ollie Bearman misses Spanish GP qualifying after heavy crash

Ollie Bearman will miss qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix after a heavy crash in final practice left his Haas F1 car too damaged to repair in time.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ollie-bearman-misses-spanish-gp-qualifying-after-heavy-crash

---
Cite as: Oliver Bearman and Haas F1 performance challenges. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/oliver-bearman-and-haas-f1-performance-challenges