At just 19 years old, Oliver Bearman has secured a full-time seat in Formula 1 with Haas for the 2025 season, completing a meteoric rise through motorsport’s ranks. Partnering seasoned Frenchman Esteban Ocon, the British teenager is eager to prove his mettle in his first full campaign on the F1 grid.
A Glimpse of Talent: Bearman’s Breakout Moments in 2024
Bearman’s arrival in F1 follows a series of impressive substitute performances during the 2024 season. Called up to replace an unwell Carlos Sainz Jr. in Saudi Arabia, Bearman stunned the paddock by steering his Ferrari to a P7 finish on debut. Further appearances in Azerbaijan and Brazil only solidified his reputation as a promising young talent.
These standout displays caught the eye of Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu, who snapped up the Essex-born driver for the American team’s 2025 lineup. Komatsu paired Bearman with Esteban Ocon, a veteran racer joining Haas after his stint with Alpine.
Bearman’s Journey to F1
Bearman’s rapid rise is rooted in his stellar junior career. The Briton clinched the ADAC Formula 4 and Italian F4 Championships in 2021, before finishing third in the Formula 3 standings during his rookie campaign in 2022. While his 2024 Formula 2 season with Prema proved challenging—finishing 12th due to struggles with the new chassis—a taste of F1 action reignited his trajectory.
Facing the Challenge: Ocon as a Benchmark
Bearman recognizes the challenge ahead, particularly with Ocon as his teammate. With years of F1 experience and a reputation for extracting the best from midfield machinery, Ocon provides an invaluable reference point.
“He [Ocon] was actually racing with Prema in Formula 2, so all the engineers know him and tell me he’s very quick,” Bearman told the media. “My goal is to beat him. Everyone wants to beat their teammate. But I’ll do my very best, and I can learn a lot from him.”
Haas’ 2025 Prospects
Haas enters the 2025 season aiming to build on its 2024 improvements, with a solid midfield position in sight. While Bearman will need time to adjust to F1’s complexities, his ambition to challenge Ocon could spark a healthy intra-team rivalry that drives both drivers to deliver strong performances.
Bearman’s First Test: Bahrain Pre-Season
The 2025 Formula 1 World Championship begins on 26 February with pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit. All eyes will be on Bearman to see how he stacks up against his experienced teammate and how quickly he adapts to the pressures of full-time F1 racing.
Will Youth or Experience Prevail?
Bearman’s debut season promises to be a fascinating battle of youth versus experience. Can the teenager’s raw talent and determination upset Ocon’s steady hand and knowledge? As Haas looks to climb the pecking order, the dynamic between its drivers could be pivotal in shaping the team’s fortunes.