Oliver Bearman, a rising star groomed within the Ferrari Driver Academy, is set to refine his skills with Haas in the 2025 Formula 1 season. With his sights firmly set on a potential future seat at Ferrari, the 20-year-old Briton is already turning heads in the paddock with his mature approach, impressive speed, and ability to deliver under pressure.
Bearman’s F1 journey: From promising rookie to Ferrari contender
Bearman’s trajectory in F1 began with FP1 outings for Haas in the 2023 Mexican and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix. His stock rose sharply in 2025 when he stepped in for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, scoring points with a remarkable seventh-place finish. The opportunity came after Sainz underwent surgery for appendicitis, and Bearman capitalized, showcasing his ability to perform under high-pressure circumstances.
Further impressing Ferrari and Haas, Bearman stepped in twice for Kevin Magnussen—once during the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he secured a tenth-place finish, and again in Sao Paulo, where he replaced the ill Dane and delivered another strong performance.
Komatsu praises Bearman’s growth and potential
Haas’ engineering director Ayao Komatsu has been effusive in his praise of Bearman, describing the young driver as mature beyond his years. “It’s funny about Ollie being a rookie because I don’t treat him as a rookie,” Komatsu told Motorsport.com. “We pay lots of attention to what he has to say.”
Komatsu highlighted Bearman’s technical feedback and consistent improvement, particularly during qualifying sessions in Baku and Interlagos, where he outperformed Haas’ then-driver Nico Hulkenberg. “Every time he gets in the car, his feedback’s been excellent. The approach has been excellent, speed has been great,” Komatsu added.
Ferrari closely monitoring Bearman’s development
Ferrari remains deeply invested in Bearman’s progress, with Komatsu confirming plans for close coordination with Maranello. “I’m actually going to see them in the first week of February so I can understand exactly what kind of feedback they would like,” he revealed.
Ferrari has been integral to Bearman’s development, providing him with experience in their simulator and ongoing mentorship. This collaboration ensures that Bearman remains on their radar as they evaluate his readiness for a future seat.
A revamped Haas lineup for 2025
Bearman will join Esteban Ocon in a fresh driver pairing at Haas for the 2025 season. The team’s strategy centers on pairing Ocon’s experience with Bearman’s youthful potential to push the team forward. With Ferrari monitoring Bearman’s every move, his tenure at Haas represents a critical step in his bid to secure a seat at F1’s most iconic team.
A future Ferrari star in the making?
Bearman’s journey with Haas offers a proving ground to demonstrate he has what it takes to race for Ferrari. If his current trajectory continues, Ferrari may find it impossible to ignore the young talent they’ve nurtured through their driver academy. With Komatsu’s backing and Ferrari’s close involvement, Bearman’s road to Maranello is becoming increasingly clear.