Oliver Bearman, the top driver at the Ferrari Driver Academy and Scuderia reserve racer, is now “widely expected” to start in Formula 1 in 2025, with two drivers placed on notice.
After making an incredible cameo on his debut, the 18-year-old is aiming to complete his full-time graduation to the highest level of motorsport.After Carlos Sainz’s appendicitis diagnosis, Ferrari hurriedly put Bearman in the SF-24 at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. But he maintained his composure to win.
Bearman had already arrived in Jeddah to continue his Formula 2 season with Prema. The native of Chelmsford put his championship on hold for one round this year in order to pursue the junior series title. The FDA talent also qualified in P11 for Ferrari, and after a clean race, they finished in P7.
It is “widely expected” that Ferrari star Bearman will join Haas in 2025.
Bearman’s performance in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has now solidified his place in the running for a full-time Formula 1 seat for the upcoming season. That’s according to Speedcafe, which states that Bearman’s replacement at Has will be “widely expected” in place of Kevin Magnussen or Nico Hulkenberg.
Haas only has contracts with Magnussen and Hulkenberg through 2024, so a spot may become available for the American team. From their arrival on the circuit in 2016, Haas and Ferrari have also had a unique bond. Bearman’s decision to join Haas is therefore a logical step toward his F1 graduation.
Ferrari won’t want to impede Bearman’s development by not getting the teenager a Formula 1 race seat for 2025. Before placing third in the 2022 Formula 3 season, he had won the Formula 4 double in Italy and Germany in 2021. During his rookie F2 term, Bearman won four races.
In 2025, Haas is probably going to keep Hulkenberg instead of Magnussen.
Furthermore, according to Joe Saward, if Ferrari asked, Haas would be “happy” to sign Bearman as Hulkenberg’s teammate for 2025. But in order to replace Magnussen with a driver the Scuderia wants in Formula One, Haas may also ask Ferrari to provide a suitable discount on the price of their engines.
Hulkenberg led Magnussen last season and has led Haas thus far this year. The 31-year-old Dane, who has competed in 167 Grand Prix, lost three of them last year and one this year to the 36-year-old German, who has competed in 209 Formula One races. The German took nine points in 2023 and has three this year.
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