Oliver Bearman has never been one for half-measures. Now, the 21-year-old Brit has given fans something new to cheer for, beyond the roar of Formula 1 engines and the heartbreaks of the 2026 season. Bearman, alongside friends, has opened a bike shop and cafe perched in the hills above Monaco, a place already legendary among cycling faithful. For those who have watched Bearman’s career with pride and anxiety, this move offers a glimpse into the driver’s beating heart, a passion project as authentic as any late-braking lunge into turn one.
His love for cycling has been clear for a while, but hearing him describe the venture on the F1 Beyond The Grid podcast, the excitement is unmistakable. “I have a bike shop with a few friends,” he shared, voice carrying the thrill of a supporter walking through the doors for the first time. “We’ve opened up a bike shop above Monaco. It’s a really popular area for cycling. It’s really cool. We’re really happy with how it’s going.” Fans who have followed his journey from karting to Haas must feel a jolt of pride. Here’s their man, not just talking about life away from racing, but investing himself in something that pulses with the same competitive spirit that first won hearts.
Monaco’s mountain roads have become Bearman’s playground. He often rides alongside Williams’ Carlos Sainz and five-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar. Swapping the cockpit for the saddle, Bearman pushes up those punishing inclines and now builds a haven for fellow cyclists. “It’s more of a passion project for all of us because we really enjoy cycling, and it’s nice to have a bit of a say in how the shop works,” he explained. That phrase, “a bit of a say”, hits home for supporters who know how fiercely Bearman guards his independence, whether tuning a setup or deciding what cakes to serve.
The cafe itself has quickly become a talking point. Not just a side hustle, it’s a slice of Bearman’s character, served up with home-baked banana bread and cakes. “It’s our own banana bread. It’s our own cakes. So it’s nice. It’s enjoyable,” Bearman said, the sort of detail that makes fans smile. There’s humility and pride in his voice when he adds, “That’s really the main thing. We focus on good coffee. Although I don’t really enjoy coffee. I know it’s incredibly important and cyclists are very picky about coffee. That’s one thing I’ve learned! But what I do enjoy is the cakes, and we have good cakes. So I’m proud.”
Bearman’s burst of joy and creativity comes at a time when his on-track fortunes have been harder to come by. The 2026 F1 season promised much after a lightning start: 17 points from the first two rounds in Australia and China, plus a solitary point in Canada, had fans daring to dream.
But the last few months have been a test of faith. Retirements in Japan, Monaco, and Spain, each one a gut-punch for those living every lap with him, and a string of finishes outside the top ten have left Bearman 13th in the drivers’ standings with 18 points. Frustration in the grandstands is palpable. Debates on supporter forums rage about whether Bearman’s talent is being matched with the right machinery, or if his luck has simply deserted him.
For Bearman’s most loyal supporters, the shop is a reminder that their driver is more than just his results. He’s a young man willing to chase new dreams, to build something meaningful, to put his name, and his own banana bread, out there for the world to taste. This isn’t a retreat. It’s an expansion: proof that Bearman’s drive to create, to compete, and to make his mark doesn’t end when the chequered flag falls.
While the F1 paddock debates his future and the points table casts its long shadow, Bearman’s supporters have something sweet and tangible to hold onto. The next time the race goes against him, they’ll remember: up in the hills above Monaco, their driver’s pride is on the menu, and the cakes are, by all accounts, superb.
