19-Year-Old Sensation Oliver Bearman to Join Haas F1 Team Amid Multi-Year Contract
In a thrilling development that has sent ripples through the Formula 1 community, Haas Racing has announced that their reserve driver, 19-year-old Oliver Bearman, will be elevated to a full-time race seat starting with the 2025 season. Bearman, a promising talent nurtured by the Ferrari Driver Academy, has already turned heads in the motorsport world with a stellar performance in his F1 debut earlier this year.
A Rising Star in F1
Bearman’s promotion comes after a series of impressive practice sessions with Haas. The young Briton participated in two FP1 sessions last term and has doubled that number this term, including an outing at the iconic Silverstone Circuit. Notably, Bearman made an unexpected but remarkable debut for Ferrari earlier this year, stepping in for an unwell Carlos Sainz and skillfully securing a seventh-place finish.
Coupled with his sporadic F1 appearances, Bearman is also in the midst of his second season in Formula 2. Currently 14th in the Drivers’ Championship standings, he has notched up one win, showcasing his racing prowess across categories.
A Dream Come True
Bearman describes his promotion as a dream realized: “It’s hard to put into words just how much this means to me. To say out loud that I will be a Formula 1 driver for MoneyGram Haas F1 Team makes me so immensely proud. To be one of the very few people who get to do the thing they dreamed of as a child is something truly incredible.”
Grateful for the opportunity, Bearman extends his thanks to team owner Gene Haas, team principal Ayao Komatsu, and all the team members at Haas for their belief and trust in him.
Strategic Career Move
Bearman will replace Nico Hulkenberg, who is set to join Sauber, at the American squad. As of now, there is speculation about who will team up with Bearman, with Esteban Ocon being a potential candidate. Ayao Komatsu, Haas Team Principal, praised Bearman's maturity and readiness for the top-tier racing competition.
“It’s an exciting thing to be able to give a young driver as talented as Oliver Bearman his first full-time seat in Formula 1,” said Komatsu. “He’s developed into an incredibly mature driver under the guidance of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy and the world saw that for themselves when he was called in at the last minute to compete at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.”
Passed with flying colors during his unexpected debut, Bearman left an indelible impression both on and off the track, which solidified Haas's decision for a long-term commitment. “We’re looking forward to further developing him as a driver and reaping the benefits of his talent,” Komatsu added.
Commitment to Talent
Haas team owner Gene Haas expressed his enthusiasm and confidence in Bearman, lauding him as an exciting rookie prospect: “I’m pleased we’ve been able to give Oliver Bearman this opportunity to drive full-time in Formula 1. He has undoubtedly shown promise, not just during his stint in Saudi Arabia but also in developing his relationship with our team.”
Bearman's signing underscores Haas's commitment to investing in new talents and represents a significant step in their journey to compete at the highest level in motorsport.
In conclusion, Oliver Bearman’s ascension to a full-time race seat with Haas F1 marks a pivotal moment in his burgeoning career. As Bearman prepares to embark on this new chapter, fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching to see how this young prodigy will perform on the global stage.