Ayao Komatsu praises Ollie Bearman for having one trait in common with Max Verstappen
· Yahoo Sports
Ayao Komatsu, the team principal at Haas, has been impressed by Ollie Bearman’s ability to adapt to changes in category and regulations, drawing comparisons to Max Verstappen.
The 2026 regulations have drawn criticism from across the paddock. Verstappen has been particularly vocal, going as far as saying he might walk away from the sport because of them.
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Haas have managed the transition surprisingly well. Bearman is eighth in the drivers’ standings with 17 points, and the team sits sixth in the constructors’ championship, already outperforming pre-season expectations.
Bearman did have a heavy crash at Suzuka after being caught out by Franco Colapinto’s closing speed, highlighting some of the challenges posed by the new rules. He hasn’t scored points in his last two races but has shown steady progress overall.
“It was never really an issue for me,” Komatsu told Sky Sports F1. “In terms of being able to adapt to different situations and conditions is amazing, just how quickly he does it.”
Komatsu added: “I haven’t seen that level of adaptability since Max Verstappen in my career.”
Ayao Komatsu says Ollie Bearman and Max Verstappen have ‘amazing’ adaptability
The 21-year-old has shown a willingness to adapt throughout his career, including last year when he adjusted his driving style in Mexico to take on Verstappen, leading to a fourth-place finish – the best result of his career at the time.
In an interview with Essential F1, Komatsu explained that Bearman didn’t view the new regulations as an issue because he’s used to changing machinery each season. Like Verstappen, his experience in simulator work has helped him stay ahead of the curve.
“One of the very interesting things Ollie said to me before the season started was, ‘I treat this as a completely different formula this year,” said Komatsu.
“But it’s not a problem for me,’ because every single year, coming from go-karting to Formula 4 to Formula 3, Formula 2 to F1, almost every year he’s been changing a category.
“So, exactly to your point ‘25, he’s done F1, let’s say version one, ’26, F1 version two. And then also those younger generation, they adapt so quickly.
“All these switches on the steering wheel, their generation, gaming generation… Ollie [is] on the sim racing so much. I think people like Ollie, Gabriel Bortoleto, Max, they’re on the sim all the time, right so these guys are very, very quick to adapt.
“I mean, that doesn’t mean to say Esteban’s too slow to adapt. Esteban again, with his work ethic and attention to detail, he’s really suited for this type of formula and to get the best out of it. But in terms of adaptability, these young generations are amazing.”
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