Oliver Bearman’s emotional reaction after emulating ‘special’ Lewis Hamilton moment before first F1 season

Oliver Bearman is gearing up for his first full season in Formula 1 after impressing in 2024.

Bearman is one of six new full-time drivers in 2025 as he joins Haas on a multi-year contract. The Brit will be partnered by Esteban Ocon who moves over from Alpine.

Preparations have already begun at the American outfit for the new season. Haas will run a TPC test at Jerez this week with Bearman, Ocon, and Ritomo Miyata through Haas’ partnership with Toyota.

The team narrowly missed out on sixth in the Constructors’ Championship last season to Alpine. The VF-24 proved to be a strong package come the end of the season, with Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen making regular Q3 appearances.

Bearman comes into 2025 off the back of three solid outings last year. The Brit replaced Carlos Sainz at Ferrari in Jeddah and finished seventh ahead of fellow compatriots Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton.

The 19-year-old made two appearances in place of Magnussen at Haas in 2024 in Baku and Sao Paulo. Bearman finished 10th in the former, becoming the first F1 driver to score points in his first two races with two different teams.

Oliver Bearman emulates ‘special’ Lewis Hamilton moment at the Autosport International show

Bearman became the third youngest F1 driver in history when he made his debut in Jeddah. The Brit has risen through the ranks as a Ferrari junior, finishing third in F3 in 2022 before spending two years in F2.

The teenager has grown up idolising the likes of Hamilton as he dreamed of one day making it to the pinnacle of motorsport – and he emulated a ‘special’ moment the seven-time world champion had.

Bearman recently appeared at the Autosport International show in Birmingham. Speaking with F1 commentator David Croft on the main stage via his YouTube channel, the Haas driver shared his memories of being a fan seeing Hamilton up on stage at the event.

“I remember being this big coming to these shows and watching the F1 drivers going to the F1 races and thinking wow, I got to meet Lewis or, the really iconic drivers,” he said.

“Now, to think that hopefully there’s kids that size who look at me and idolise me and want to follow in the footsteps of what I’m doing and of course, what the other F1 drivers are doing. It’s quite a special feeling”.

Could Oliver Bearman replace Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari?

Alongside his Haas race seat, Bearman is set to continue as Ferrari’s reserve driver behind Charles Leclerc and Hamilton.

While he will be committed to his efforts with Haas, the Brit will be eyeing a potential full-time drive with the Maranello outfit – and it could come sooner than many may think.

It is ‘only a matter of time’ before Bearman joins Ferrari, putting their two current drivers’ long-term futures in doubt. Hamilton is contracted until 2026 – with the option of a further year – while Leclerc is said to have exit clauses in his deal.

The 19-year-old is likely first in line to land a seat with the famous red team and will be looking to continue his impressive performances with Haas in 2025.

David Croft thinks Bearman will ‘delight’ fans this season as Haas look to continue the momentum from a solid end to 2024.