Jock Clear has openly praised Ollie Bearman, stating that the 2026 Formula 1 regulations will enhance the young driver’s strongest qualities and could pave the way for him to become a future world champion. According to the former Ferrari engineer, significant growth is expected from the British talent developed within the Ferrari system once the new technical rules come into force.
The former Ferrari talent scout
Jock Clear left Ferrari just a few days ago, bringing to an end a long journey that lasted more than ten years with the Prancing Horse. Among the many roles carried out by the experienced British engineer was that of performance coach to Charles Leclerc, a position that later opened the door to his final role in Maranello as head of the Ferrari Driver Academy.
It was precisely within the Ferrari Driver Academy that the 62-year-old was able to put into practice his extensive knowledge of driver management. Over the course of his career, Clear has worked very closely with world champions such as Jacques Villeneuve, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher. This wealth of experience allowed him to establish himself as one of the key figures behind the discovery and development of Ollie Bearman.
Ollie Bearman impresses Jock Clear
The young Haas driver made his Formula 1 debut with Ferrari at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where he stepped in to replace Carlos Sainz and immediately showcased his natural talent. His ability to adapt quickly and perform under pressure caught the attention of many within the paddock.
In 2025, Ollie Bearman went on to deliver a highly impressive season, achieving strong results that underlined his rapid development. His performances allowed him to come out on top in the internal comparison with the far more experienced Esteban Ocon, a significant achievement for a driver still at the beginning of his Formula 1 career.
However, according to Jock Clear, the best is still yet to come. Speaking in an interview with CasinoHawks, the former Ferrari man explained his belief that the upcoming regulations could be decisive for Bearman’s future: “I think that with the new regulations, the good drivers will continue to be good. But Ollie Bearman, I think, will do well next year.
There are many drivers on the grid that I do not know particularly well. I know Oscar Piastri a little, I do not know Lando Norris at all, and I was really impressed by Isack Hadjar because, honestly, I did not expect him to do so well. But overall, I think the new rules will work in Bearman’s favour by highlighting his strengths.”
“It is still early to say,” Jock Clear added, “and I think I said the same thing about Charles Leclerc in the past, but at the moment I see no reason why Ollie Bearman cannot become a world champion.
When you work with certain drivers, you quickly realise whether they are good but not quite at the level needed to win a title. With Ollie, I have not yet seen anything that makes me think he cannot make it. He has overcome every challenge and he has done so against all expectations.
He had a terrible start to the year and had a lot to learn, but by mid-season he showed just how good he is and how quickly he learns. Esteban Ocon is certainly no amateur, yet Ollie Bearman was almost always just that little bit faster than him. He has the performance and he is extremely intelligent, and with those two qualities there is no reason why he cannot become a champion in the future.”
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