Ralf Schumacher is convinced: Esteban Ocon must deliver in his duel against Oliver Bearman at Haas this season, otherwise “it will be a farewell event.”
Anyone who wants to hold their own in Formula 1 must first beat the most direct benchmark: their teammate. Same car, identical technology, same data—the comparability is maximum. Esteban Ocon is currently experiencing just how relentless this internal power struggle can be.
The established Frenchman, who has been racing in the premier class since 2016 with a few interruptions, had a tough nut to crack last year with rookie Oliver Bearman. “The youngster came, saw, and conquered, and of course he made Ocon look a bit pale,” recalls Ralf Schumacher.
“He has to change that now,” the expert is convinced in the current Sky podcast Backstage Boxengasse. “Otherwise, I think it will be more of a farewell event for him at Haas if he doesn’t show this year that he can be faster or at least on par [with Bearman].”
The 20-year-old Brit, who completed his first full season in the premier class last year, scored three more World Championship points than his teammate and made a clear statement with several highlights, most notably fourth place at the Mexican Grand Prix.
Team owner Haas makes “tough decisions”
For Ocon, this is a delicate situation. “Of course, with Bearman, he probably has one of the better talents who also has the potential to become world champion,” says Schumacher, who is convinced of the young Briton’s potential for development. “We’ll see when he’s at Ferrari.”
But that’s no excuse. “He has to perform,” the Sky expert makes clear, increasing the pressure: “Otherwise, there are so many good people waiting in the wings who were strong in Formula 2 and who also deserve a chance.”
“We know that [team owner] Gene Haas is also someone who makes tough decisions and who needs performance, wants performance.” Team boss Ayao Komatsu also recently made it clear that they had “expected more” from Ocon and are demanding a clear improvement for 2026.
Oliver Bearman a candidate for Ferrari
Meanwhile, there is little doubt about Oliver Bearman’s potential, not even for Ralf Schumacher. “I think Ferrari is currently looking at Bearman,” the 50-year-old is convinced, even though the Scuderia is still well staffed with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.
Nevertheless, rumors have been circulating in recent months that Leclerc could possibly leave the team. “But I hardly believe that,” says Schumacher, also with a view to the test drives so far: “By the way, the car also looked good with Charles Leclerc.”
The decisive factor will therefore be how the situation with Hamilton develops, who had “a few difficulties” and was “not entirely happy,” according to the expert. “But with Charles Leclerc, it already looked really good.”
“Accordingly, this could be a great team,” Schumacher outlines a possible future option at Ferrari: “Leclerc now and Bearman, the man of the future, who can be developed within a short period of time. No question about it.”
