Oliver Bearman advanced to Q2 at the Barcelona Grand Prix despite describing his Haas car as the worst he has ever driven during final practice. The 21-year-old will start Sunday's race from 15th position. This marks his best qualifying result since the Miami Grand Prix.
Bearman reached Q2 after completing nine laps in the opening segment of qualifying, finishing 11th overall in that session. He had finished 17th in FP3 following overnight car changes that left the VF-26 difficult to handle.
"This morning, I don't know what we did to the car, but it was the worst car I've ever driven in my life - it was terrible," Bearman said. He added that the team went into Q1 blind and had expected an early exit.
Bearman noted the car has a narrow operating window but expressed confidence in its long-run pace from FP2. Team-mate Esteban Ocon qualified 17th, leaving Haas seventh in the championship standings.
The Briton said he does not expect to fight for points on merit but hopes to capitalize on any race-day chaos.
