Oliver Bearman Joins Haas F1 as a Regular Driver in 2025

Oliver Bearman has secured a full-time seat with the Haas F1 team starting from the 2025 season. The 19-year-old Briton has signed a multi-year contract with the American outfit, standing out as one of the young promises in the motorsport world. Currently, Bearman is a reserve driver for Haas and competes in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Prema Racing, where he recently won his first race of the 2024 season in Austria.

In 2024, Bearman replaced Carlos Sainz in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to the Spaniard's appendicitis surgery. In that race, the young British driver impressed by finishing seventh, surpassing experienced drivers like Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton. His performance earned him the recognition of Driver of the Day.

Bearman is no stranger to Haas, having participated in two FP1 sessions for the team in 2023, in Mexico and Abu Dhabi, followed by a full day in the VF-23 during the end-of-season test in Abu Dhabi. Announced as an official reserve driver for Haas in January this year, Bearman has participated in six FP1 sessions this season, including his third appearance in Silverstone, with Hungary, Mexico, and Abu Dhabi still to come.

Ayao Komatsu, Haas team principal, expressed his enthusiasm for giving Bearman his first full-time seat in Formula 1. "Oliver has matured a lot under the guidance of the Ferrari Driver Academy, and he proved it when he raced in Saudi Arabia. We have seen his potential in the FP1 sessions, and we look forward to developing him further as a driver."

Gene Haas, team owner, also commented: "We are excited to give this opportunity to Oliver. He has shown his talent both in Saudi Arabia and during his time with us. We look forward to seeing him grow as a driver and perform for Haas in the next season and beyond."

Bearman, in turn, expressed his gratitude and excitement for the opportunity: "Being a full-time driver for Haas in Formula 1 is a dream come true. I thank Gene, Ayao, and everyone at Haas for trusting me, and the Ferrari Driver Academy for preparing me for this incredible opportunity."

Before joining Formula 2 in 2023, where he finished sixth in his debut season, Bearman won the Italian F4 and ADAC F4 championships in 2021 and competed in Formula 3 in 2022.

The Haas F1 team is currently seventh in the Constructors' Championship as they prepare for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, which will take place from July 5 to 7, 2024.