Oliver Bearman is targeting a return to the Formula 1 points at the Singapore Grand Prix and would be delighted to repeat the ninth-place finish he achieved at Marina Bay in 2025. The Haas driver believes progress with the VF-26 upgrade has left him significantly better prepared to fight inside the top 10 than he was in the middle of the season.
After a long run of results outside the points, Oliver Bearman finally ended that sequence in Baku by finishing ninth. He was unable to repeat the result during the chaotic race at Sepang last weekend, but he will now attempt to match or improve on it under the lights in Singapore.
Oliver Bearman targets another ninth place in Singapore
Marina Bay already holds positive memories for Oliver Bearman. During his first full season as a Haas driver last year, the British youngster qualified ninth and also crossed the line in ninth place.
He is now hoping for a similar result on Sunday, helped by the improvements Haas has made to the VF-26.
“What did I say last week about preparing for Singapore’s humidity by spending a week in the heat in Malaysia? Well, I’m looking forward to having a few ice baths this weekend!” Oliver Bearman said.
“Last year I qualified ninth and finished ninth; if I could repeat that result, I’d be delighted. We know this upgrade works and we’re still fine-tuning it to optimise its performance, but I feel much more ready to fight for points than I did in the middle of the season.”
“Singapore is a fantastic circuit and a spectacular event: it’s a unique street track and I love night races!”
Haas continues to refine its VF-26 upgrade
Bearman’s comments underline the greater confidence inside Haas following the recent development work on the car. The team already knows that its latest upgrade is producing the intended effect, although further work is still being carried out to extract its full potential.
That progress could prove important at a circuit where mistakes are heavily punished and where qualifying position can play a major role in determining the final result.
For Bearman, another top-10 finish would also strengthen his recent momentum as he looks to keep adding points over the closing part of the season. The broader Formula 1 drivers’ standings remain tightly contested behind the leading positions, making every opportunity to score significant for the midfield runners.
Singapore heat and humidity will test the drivers
As Oliver Bearman acknowledged, the Singapore Grand Prix will also be extremely demanding because of the combination of high temperatures and humidity inside the cockpit.
That physical challenge has long been one of the defining characteristics of Marina Bay, particularly during a weekend that also includes the Sprint format. The full 2026 Singapore Grand Prix Sprint schedule will leave the teams with limited time to adapt before the competitive sessions begin.
Esteban Ocon also optimistic about Haas chances
Team-mate Esteban Ocon also highlighted the difficulty of the conditions but remains optimistic that Haas can be competitive if the VF-26 performs at the same level it has shown during recent weekends.
“It’s great to be back in Singapore: the city welcomes Formula 1 with open arms. We always feel welcome and the support from the fans here is incredible,” Esteban Ocon said.
“We know that, given the conditions, the race is very tough for the driver in the cockpit, but I’m confident: if the car works as well as it has in the last few weekends, we can be in the fight.”
“It’s a fantastic feeling to achieve good results in Singapore under the lights, so we’ll aim to be competitive right from the start and have a great Sprint weekend.”
Haas therefore arrives at Marina Bay with cautious optimism. Oliver Bearman believes the team is better prepared to challenge for points than it was earlier in the season, while Esteban Ocon sees the recent performance of the VF-26 as reason to believe the team can again fight around the top 10 in Singapore.
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