Haas Reveals Critical Pit Stop Strategy That Cost Bearman a Podium in Mexico

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu believes a maiden podium for the team and rookie Ollie Bearman was “definitely on the cards” at the Mexico City Grand Prix, but a critical pit stop decision ultimately prevented it. Bearman finished fourth, equaling the team’s best-ever result, after a chaotic start propelled him up the order.

Why it matters:

• A podium finish would have been a historic moment for Haas, a team that rarely contends for top-tier results, and a phenomenal achievement for rookie Ollie Bearman in only his 23rd F1 career race.
• This strong performance signals a potential breakthrough for Haas, demonstrating their car’s improved long-run pace and Bearman's exceptional race craft.
• It also highlights the strategic tightropes teams walk during a race, where split-second decisions can have massive implications on the final outcome.

The Details:

• Chaotic Start: The beginning of the Mexico City Grand Prix is notoriously challenging, and this year was no exception. Multiple cars ahead of Bearman went off track, allowing him to jump from ninth to sixth by the time the initial melee subsided.
• Early Advantage: Further incidents involving Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and George Russell saw Bearman capitalize, moving up to a net third by lap 6.
• Unexpected Pace: Komatsu expressed surprise at Bearman’s ability to hold off quicker cars, including Max Verstappen (albeit on medium tires) and Kimi Antonelli in a Mercedes, in the first two stints. The VF-25's long-run pace was stronger than anticipated, proving to be the team's best of the season.
• Crucial Pit Stop: The pivotal moment came on lap 49 when Mercedes brought Antonelli and Oscar Piastri in. Haas had to decide between sticking to a one-stop strategy or switching to a two-stopper to cover the threat.
  • Haas opted for the latter, pitting Bearman at the same time as Russell, executing their season's fastest pit stop at 2.1 seconds.
  • Komatsu explained that with Antonelli and Piastri pitting, it became clear Verstappen, on a one-stop strategy, would eventually overtake. Attempting to hold onto P3 risked losing even more positions.
• Conservative but Correct: This decision, though costing a potential podium, was deemed the “right call” to secure a strong points finish, avoiding the risk of dropping further down the order. Komatsu noted that Charles Leclerc, despite his Ferrari pace, was also caught by Verstappen.

Looking Ahead:

Despite narrowly missing a podium, Bearman's fourth-place finish is a significant achievement for both the driver and the Haas team. This result underscores the team's strategic acumen and Bearman's rapidly developing talent.

• The strong performance could boost team morale and provide crucial data for future car development, potentially signaling a more competitive era for Haas.
• Bearman's impressive drive further solidifies his reputation as a rising star in F1, making him a strong candidate for future full-time seats.