Oliver Bearman highlights crucial Max Verstappen factor after 'holding nerve'

Haas' Oliver Bearman has highlighted he views Max Verstappen as the benchmark in Formula 1 after successfully holding his "nerve" against the Dutchman in battle. 

Bearman battled Verstappen at the Mexico City Grand Prix and managed to overtake the four-time world champion at Turn 6 in the opening stages, while the Red Bull driver fought Lewis Hamilton. 

Unfortunately, Verstappen later found his way back past Bearman in the closing stages of the race, putting him onto the foot of the podium at the Briton's expense. 

Despite being in a midfield package, Bearman held his own against the 28-year-old, resulting in a boost which has given him confidence. 

In Bearman's eyes, Verstappen is the best driver in F1 and is the "reference" for what speed and talent is required to become a world champion.

Asked if battling Verstappen is the standout moment of his rookie season, Bearman told media including RacingNews365: "I hope not, because we have [three] more races, so it's not over yet. But no, that was very cool. 

"Of course, everyone knows that well, in my opinion, Max is the most talented driver. For me, at least, he's the reference of when I'm in a top car, and Max is also in a top car, he's the guy, he's the one, he's the fastest, he's the best. 

"And that's, for me, the guy that I'm looking up to, in terms of the reference of what I need to do in F1 if I want to win a championship one day. 

"So to go side by side with someone like him is very cool. Of course, it was very specific circumstances, and it's not normal to do that, but it's nice anyway. It's a good feeling."

Bearman's brillance against top drivers

Bearman's performance at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez was his best to date in F1, given he finished in fourth – an equal best result for Haas – after starting in ninth.

It was not only Verstappen that Bearman battled in Mexico, as he also underwent large periods of the race with George Russell within striking distance - however, Russell cound not find a way past Bearman.

Discussing if it makes a difference now knowing he can hold his own against the likes of Verstappen, Piastri and Russell, Bearman explained: "Yeah, it's a good feeling for myself. As a driver, of course, I'm not in the same car as those.

"But in that situation, I could fight against those guys. That's a good feeling as a driver, and validates maybe the confidence that I have in myself.

"But I'm also aware that it's not every weekend, it's not that now we've finished fourth in Mexico, that I expect to be fighting with those guys every weekend.

"It was, course, a fortunate position to be in, but also I held my nerve going up against those guys."