Newly confirmed 2025 Haas Formula 1 driver Ollie Bearman is seen as Ferrari’s best chance of developing another star driver for their team since Charles Leclerc. Bearman is considered one of the most talented prospects to come through the Ferrari Driver Academy and is part of a select group who have been in the program. He is often compared to Jules Bianchi, who tragically passed away before he could potentially secure a Ferrari seat. While Mick Schumacher and Antonio Giovinazzi both reached F1 while associated with Ferrari, they did not meet the high expectations set by the team. Sergio Perez was also of interest to Ferrari, but he chose to join McLaren instead. Bearman is therefore only the third Ferrari junior to be seen as a likely future Scuderia driver. His opportunity to race as a stand-in driver demonstrates the potential he possesses.
Bearman hopes to follow in Leclerc’s footsteps and become a Ferrari driver in the future. However, he understands that this is not entirely within his control. His focus is on performing at his best and letting the results speak for themselves. The earliest opportunity for Bearman to join Ferrari would be in 2027, as Lewis Hamilton is committed to Ferrari until the end of 2026 and Leclerc is staying long-term. Bearman acknowledges that he must make the most of his time with Haas and prove to Ferrari that he has what it takes to be their driver. The timeline is not a concern as long as he maximizes his potential with Haas.
Ferrari will closely monitor Bearman’s performances and expect him to progress rapidly. He must meet high standards and demonstrate greater consistency than previous Ferrari drivers. While Giovinazzi had the respect of Ferrari, Bearman has the opportunity to achieve more. He has already shown that he can handle pressure, as seen in his Jeddah outing. Now, Bearman needs to consistently perform well week after week. He is aware of the opportunity ahead of him and remains focused on doing well with Haas in the short-term while keeping his long-term dream of success with Ferrari in mind.
Balancing his short-term and long-term goals is crucial for Bearman. He cannot get carried away and must strive to match Leclerc’s rookie season to emulate his trajectory. Bearman is experiencing a reality check in F2, which has made him realize that nothing is guaranteed. His unexpected stand-in role for Ferrari in Jeddah helped his case and boosted his confidence. He believes that without that opportunity, it would have been difficult for him, given the current challenges he faces in F2.
As for 2025, Bearman and Ferrari have not set specific expectations yet. It will depend on his teammate and the performance of the Haas car. However, Bearman’s personal expectation is to improve race by race and see progression in his own abilities throughout the year. His goal is to maximize his performance and continue to develop as a driver.
