‘It’s great for the team’ – Ocon hails future Haas team mate Bearman as a 'remarkable talent'

Esteban Ocon has hailed future team mate Ollie Bearman as a “remarkable talent” following his latest substitute performance in Azerbaijan, with the Frenchman confident that the youngster will bring “good experience” to Haas when the pair team up in 2025.

Bearman stepped in to fill Kevin Magnussen’s vacant seat while the Dane served a race ban during the weekend in Baku, marking the Briton's second stand-in performance of the season after earlier substituting for an unwell Carlos Sainz at Ferrari for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

READ MORE: ‘It’s my fault’ – Bearman reflects on ‘not fully deserved’ point in Baku despite making history

Despite a crash during FP3, Bearman went on to put in another good showing come race day, where he spent much of the latter stages of the Grand Prix battling with the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton before crossing the line in P10, just behind the seven-time world champion.

Ocon – who ended the race in P15 for Alpine – went on to share words of praise for Bearman when he was asked during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend if he was looking forward to partnering the 19-year-old next season, as well as being quizzed on whether he expected his new team mate to push him.

“Yeah, for sure!” said Ocon. “What he's done in Baku was really remarkable and I knew it. I think everyone in the paddock knew that he’s a remarkable talent and what he’s done was very impressive, to be on pace straightaway at such a technical track.

“I’ve been looking at his lap in F2 when he had the steering bent and he was on pole, and that tells you everything. It tells you that he’s at ease straightaway whatever car he’s driving.

READ MORE: Komatsu shares how he’s preparing Bearman for debut F1 season as he stresses two new drivers won’t hold Haas back

“It’s great for him, for the team, for myself, that he’s going to have some good experience before heading into the full season next year.”

In terms of whether he has spent much time with Bearman since finding out that they would be teaming up at Haas in 2025, Ocon explained: “We’ve chatted a little bit but we’ve been so busy that unfortunately not enough.

“We are going to be spending time a lot this winter and be able to catch up, so I’m not afraid on that side. It’s been really good to see him shine at Baku and I’m pleased for him and the team.”

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In the meantime, Bearman will return to reserve driver duties – as well as completing his second season in Formula 2 – while Ocon enters into his final races as an Alpine driver before his switch to Haas, having confirmed back in July that he will join the squad on a multi-year contract.