Bearman sets out goal ahead of FP1 appearance for Haas as he reflects on prospects of 2025 seat

Oliver Bearman is keen to get back behind the wheel for Haas this weekend during Free Practice 1 in Barcelona, with the British driver continuing to “prepare for the future” amid his hopes of landing a seat on the grid in 2025.

Bearman will make the second of his six scheduled FP1 outings in 2024 with the American outfit at the Spanish Grand Prix, having last participated in a practice session at Imola in May, and the 19-year-old has set out his goal for what he hopes to achieve this time around.

2025 F1 GRID: All the driver and team line-ups confirmed so far

“I have two FP1s in the next three weekends, so I’m really looking forward to getting back in the rhythm of things with Haas,” Bearman explained on Thursday at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

"My personal goal is of course just to keep improving myself, keep working on what I’ve identified as weak points when I drive in F1.

“Hopefully [I can] bring some data for the team as well, because of course FP1 is… That’s the main goal of an FP1. But yeah, these are really useful sessions for me to prepare for the future.”

The year so far has been a busy one for Bearman, who memorably caught the eye with an impressive points-scoring performance for Ferrari in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after stepping in at short notice for an unwell Carlos Sainz.

READ MORE: Bearman wants to be back in F1 ‘as quickly as possible’

Alongside testing and reserve duties in F1, he has also continued to compete in his second Formula 2 campaign with PREMA Racing. Asked about how he has been balancing these different tasks, Bearman responded: “It’s really tough to balance first of all.

“Especially on a weekend like this, I’m very busy, I have a lot of mental pressure, a lot of stuff to take in. But I like the challenge, it’s good preparation.

“These last few months since Saudi have been pretty crazy. I’ve been very busy with F1 testing and done some FP [running] as well. It’s been pretty full [on], but I love it. I’ve been really enjoying it and it’s been really good.”

With several moves in the 2025 F1 driver market yet to be confirmed, Bearman is amongst the names linked to a seat at Haas.

READ MORE: From backmarker brilliance to stand-in stars – 10 times F1 drivers put themselves in the shop window with stunning performances

In terms of what the team have told him regarding his prospects, the teenager commented: “I haven’t had anything in particular, but I think my personal goal is, like I said, to keep working on myself and perform at my best. I think if I do that I’m hopefully in with a good shout.”