F2 star Ollie Bearman promoted to F1 with Haas for 2025

Ferrari junior Ollie Bearman has secured a full-time seat in Formula 1 from 2025 after agreeing a multi-year deal with American squad Haas.

The 19-year-old impressed the world of Formula 1 when he stood in at late notice for the unwell Carlos Sainz at Ferrari in Saudi Arabia. The Briton scored points on debut with a superb drive to seventh.

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Bearman is currently competing in F2 with PREMA and took his first win of the season and fourth of his career last weekend in Austria in the Sprint Race.

He dovetails those duties with his role as reserve driver for Haas and Ferrari in Formula 1. He is also completing six FP1 appearances with Haas this year, the third of which will be this weekend at Silverstone.

“It’s hard to put into words just how much this means to me,” said Bearman. “To say out loud that I will be a Formula 1 driver for Haas F1 Team makes me so immensely proud.

“To be one of the very few people who get to do the thing what they dreamed of as a child is something truly incredible. To Gene [Haas, team owner], Ayao [Komatsu, Haas Team Principal] and everyone at Haas, thank you for believing in me and for trusting me to represent your team.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with everyone since the first time we met in Mexico and I can’t wait to enjoy this moment with them and hopefully many more in the future.

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“[To] everyone at the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy, quite simply, I wouldn’t be here without you. Thank you for preparing me since F4 for this incredible opportunity and know I will give it everything I have.”

Haas Team Principal Komatsu added: “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.

“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.

“Oliver proved he was more than ready for the task, and we’ve seen that for ourselves running him in the Haas cars in our FP1 sessions over the past two seasons.

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“We’re looking forward to further developing him as a driver and reaping the benefits of his talent – both inside and outside of the car.

“Oliver’s a great guy and a very welcome addition to the team when he joins us for the FP1 weekends. Now we know that relationship is going to be longer-term, it’s a positive thing for all concerned.”

With Nico Hulkenberg departing for Sauber/Audi next year and Kevin Magnussen’s contract expiring at the end of 2024, that leaves one seat still up for grabs at Haas.

Alpine’s Esteban Ocon is a leading contender for the seat, with Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas also believed to be under consideration. Magnussen could also fight his way into contention to keep his seat if he can consistently repeat performances like his one in Austria, where he finished a strong eighth.