Bearman feels it’s “harsh” not to be seen as a rookie

Ollie Bearman has made it clear that he “still feels like a rookie” ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season, despite already making a series of substitute outings with Ferrari and Haas.

Ferrari junior Bearman burst onto the scene at last year’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix when he replaced the unwell Carlos Sainz from final practice, almost reached the pole position shootout in qualifying and went on to finish a fine seventh in the race.

He was also called into action with Haas at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Kevin Magnussen served a race ban, and the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where the Dane came down with illness – adding another point to his name on the streets of Baku.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 18: Oliver Bearman of Great Britain and Haas F1 waves to the crowd — Bearman has three Grand Prix starts under his belt after some super-sub performances

Speaking at the recent F1 75 Live event in London, Bearman was asked to reflect on those stand-in appearances – which were dotted around full-time F2 duties – and how he would classify himself going into the campaign.

“I would still consider myself a rookie,” he said. “I think I’m not officially a rookie, but I think that’s a bit harsh. There are certainly some rookies with more mileage in F1 than me who are still official rookies, so I think it’s harsh to not call me a rookie.

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“I still feel like a rookie. There are still tracks that I haven’t been to, and I still haven’t done a full season in F1, which in my mind makes me a rookie. But I am very lucky to have done three races and a lot of mileage behind the scenes.”

Nonetheless, Bearman thinks he is “ready” for the season ahead, as the British teenager eagerly awaits his first proper running in Haas’ new VF-25.

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“I mean, the only uncertainty is how the car is going to perform,” he added. “I’m quite certain that I feel confident heading into [the first race] of what I can do, how comfortable I am in F1 at this stage.

“I’ve had a good amount of mileage for a rookie, lots of TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) but also lots of race weekends as well, which are very different. Race weekends are unique and a different type of pressure to running on track by yourself in TPC, so to get that experience has been really invaluable.

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“Now I’m just excited to get 24 of them, build up, gain experience and really be able to build from it. At least I know exactly what my calendar’s going to look like this year!”

Bearman, team mate Esteban Ocon and the rest of the F1 grid will take to the Bahrain International Circuit this week, with three valuable days of pre-season testing being held in the Sakhir desert.