Oliver Bearman is one of Formula 1’s rookie drivers making his full-time debut this season, as he tackles driving for Haas in the midfield.
The 19-year-old is finally realising his lifelong dream of being an F1 driver, having impressed on his debuts with Ferrari in Saudi Arabian and Haas at Baku and Sao Paulo last year.
Bearman has big shoes to fill having replaced the experienced Nico Hulkenberg, following the German’s move to the Audi F1 project.
The British driver will partner former Alpine driver Esteban Ocon who Haas recently ran in their 2025 challenger at Silverstone, to work out any problems ahead of pre-season testing at the end of the month.
There is a bit of excitement over how Bearman will perform at Haas, considering is links to Ferrari and the potential for him to progress up to the team in the future like Charles Leclerc did in his career. When asked by Forbes about his main aims this season, Bearman said he would like to achieve something that Haas has never done in F1.
Oliver Bearman wants to achieve podium with Haas
Bearman has already earned high praise from team principal Ayao Komatsu since he joined the team, given he was also their simulator driver before his race debuts.
Haas has never managed to achieve a higher finishing position than sixth place at the Australian and British Grands Prix, but Bearman would like to change that with a bold aim for 2025.
“I hope I can get stronger and more comfortable with my performances,” said Bearman.
“It’s tough to make up my expectations because we have no idea how our performances will be in the races. My dream is to get on the podium with Haas. I hope we have the car to do it and that I’m performing at a high enough level to score good positions with the team.”
Ferrari will be ‘keeping a close eye’ on Oliver Bearman
Bearman is arguably going up against one of F1’s toughest competitors in Ocon at Haas, if his recent history at Alpine is anything to go by.
Although Ocon and Pierre Gasly are lifelong karting rivals, the pair pushed each other to the limit at Alpine and an occasion would go over it – as was the case at last year’s Monaco Grand Prix when Ocon made contact with Gasly on the opening lap and jeopardised a points finish.
READ MORE: Who is 2025 Haas driver Oliver Bearman? Everything to know
Bearman is not expected to push Ocon too hard in his first year, but he will be keen to impress his future employers while also showing that he can learn from experience.
Former F1 driver Anthony Davidson believes Ferrari will be tracking how Bearman performs next to Ocon, given the 28-year-old’s experience on the grid.
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