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Haas announce British teenager Oliver Bearman as one of its drivers for 2025.
Bearman made his debut in Formula 1 back in March when Carlos Sainz had to withdraw from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to emergency appendicitis surgery. The 19-year-old who secured pole position in F2 earlier that day was announced as the Spaniard’s replacement.
Throughout the weekend, Bearman impressed both spectators and teams after finishing seventh, kickstarting a spiral of rumours about the driver potentially making the next step up into F1.
Earlier in the year it was confirmed Bearman would be taking part in six FP1 sessions throughout the 2024 F1 season with both Ferrari and Haas. The next outing for the Briton will be at his home race in Silverstone, he will be taking part in three more in Hungary, Mexico and Abu Dhabi.
Komatsu expresses his praise for the driver
Ollie's on the grid for '25 ???
Confirming our first driver for the 2025 season, as Ollie signs a multi-year contract with the team ✍️#HaasF1 | @OllieBearman pic.twitter.com/Ub8wTYwES6
— MoneyGram Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) July 4, 2024
After months of speculation about who could be driving for Haas in 2025, the team announce Bearman as one of its drivers on a multi year contract. Team principal, Ayao Komatsu gave his thoughts about the news:
“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. 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.”
Bearman gives his thoughts
The news comes after the Briton dominated in the Austrian Grand Prix Sprint race, leading all 28 laps before crossing the line and securing his first win of the season.
Bearman has impressed all throughout his junior career, catching the eyes of Scuderia Ferrari back in 2021 when he clinched the ADAC and Italian F4 championship’s.
The following year he was crowned the F3 victor before making the step up into F2. During his F2 rookie season in 2023, he grabbed four victories before finishing sixth in the standings.
“It’s hard to put into words just how much this means to me,” Bearman expressed.
“To say out loud that I will be a Formula 1 driver for MoneyGram 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.
“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. To Fred, Marco, Jock, Alessandro and 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.”
Bearman will be taking to the historical Silverstone track for the eighth round of the F2 2024 season this weekend.
Featured image credits: @HaasF1team on Instagram