Oliver Bearman has secured a permanent Formula 1 seat with Haas by signing a multi-year deal with the American oufit from the 2025 season.
The 19-year-old Ferrari Protege made headlines back in March when he stood in as a replacement for Carlos Sainz Jnr., who suffered from Appendicitis, at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, and became the youngest British driver to start a race, qualifying 11th before going on to finish seventh in the main race.
Bearman’s reputation has remained favourable since then, and he is now looking to make the step from F1 feeder series Formula 2, where he races with Prema Racing, to the premier series.
“It’s hard to put into words just how much this means to me,” Bearman said. “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. To Gene, Ayao 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. 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.”
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
Bearman, who is the 2021 Italian and ADAC Formula 4 champion, has already taken part in two free practice sessions with Haas this season at Imola and Barcelona, and will do so again at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone on Friday.
It is not yet known who will partner Bearman at the American outfit next season as Nico Hulkenberg is moving to Sauber (becoming Audi from 2026) while Kevin Magnussen will be out of contract.
Frenchman Esteban Ocon, who will be leaving Alpine at the end of the season, has been widely tipped to fill the second seat.
