Ferrari junior Ollie Bearman has secured a full-time seat in Formula 1 from 2025 after agreeing to a multi-year deal with American squad Haas.
Bearman, just 19 years old, made waves in the F1 community when he was called up at the last minute to replace an ailing Carlos Sainz at Ferrari during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The young Brit showcased his immense talent, finishing an impressive seventh and scoring points on his debut.
Currently racing in Formula 2 with PREMA, Bearman claimed his first win of the season in the recent Sprint Race in Austria, adding to his growing list of accolades.
In addition to his F2 commitments, Bearman serves as a reserve driver for both Haas and Ferrari in F1, and is slated to make six FP1 appearances with Haas this year, including the upcoming session at Silverstone.
Expressing his elation, Bearman said, “It’s a dream come true to say that I’ll be driving full-time for Haas F1 Team. Since I was a child, I’ve aspired to reach this point, and I’m incredibly grateful to Gene Haas, Ayao Komatsu, and everyone at Haas for believing in me. Working with the team since our first meeting in Mexico has been fantastic, and I’m eager to share many more successes with them.”
Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu added, “We’re thrilled to bring Oliver Bearman on board as our full-time driver. His maturity and skill, honed under the guidance of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy, were evident when he stepped in at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and delivered an outstanding performance. Knowing that he’ll be with us long-term is a positive step for the team.”
As the team looks ahead, the departure of Nico Hulkenberg to Sauber/Audi next year and the expiration of Kevin Magnussen’s contract at the end of 2024 leaves one seat open.
Esteban Ocon of Alpine is a strong contender for this spot, with Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas also in the mix. Magnussen, however, could retain his seat if he continues to deliver strong performances like his recent eighth-place finish in Austria.
Photo Credits: Formula One