It’s hard not to see the striking parallels between Ferrari’s current rising star, Ollie Bearman, and Charles Leclerc. As Ferrari’s former prodigy, Leclerc has set the standard for young talents, and now Bearman is following closely in his footsteps. This weekend in Baku, Bearman made it clear why Haas is thrilled to have him full-time in 2025, and why Ferrari might see shades of their future in this young driver.
Bearman, just 19 years old, became the first driver to score points with two different teams in his first two races. After an impressive debut for Ferrari earlier this season in Saudi Arabia, he took to the streets of Baku with Haas, stepping in for Kevin Magnussen. From the start, Bearman’s pace and raw talent were on full display, consistently outperforming his veteran teammate, Nico Hulkenberg, and earning a point with a calculated and daring drive.
The Leclerc Comparisons Are Unavoidable
It’s not just the speed that draws comparisons between Bearman and Leclerc. Both drivers possess an unrelenting mentality, coupled with an almost self-punishing level of self-criticism. This mindset, combined with a flair for driving on the edge, makes Bearman seem like a younger version of the Monegasque star. Bearman’s ability to bounce back from mistakes, like his FP3 crash, is strikingly similar to how Leclerc has responded to setbacks throughout his career.
Bearman’s Q2 lap in Baku, where he outpaced Hulkenberg on used tires, echoed the kind of raw talent and resilience we’ve seen from Leclerc since his early days. Even after a slight misstep on his final qualifying lap, Bearman’s performance was so impressive that Haas boss Ayao Komatsu couldn’t help but marvel at his potential. “He was half a second up before the mistake. That’s incredible,” said Komatsu.
A Mindset Built for Greatness
Like Leclerc, Bearman has a sharp mental resilience. He’s self-critical, but never lets it consume him. Even after narrowly missing out on Q3 and spending the race battling hard with seasoned drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Bearman remained focused, ultimately capitalizing on the late-race chaos caused by the Sainz-Perez collision to secure a point. This ability to absorb pressure and keep pushing mirrors Leclerc’s own mentality, especially during his rise through the ranks.
One of the most telling moments of the weekend was Bearman’s cool handling of Haas’ strategic blunders. Ordered to let Hulkenberg by during the race, Bearman accepted the decision, even though he later criticized himself for being too slow in the first stint. “That’s on me,” he said, owning the responsibility. This kind of accountability is rare in such young drivers and points to a maturity that will serve him well in Formula 1.
Bearman’s Future: Is He Ferrari-Bound?
Bearman’s rapid rise and his standout performances in these early F1 appearances make it hard to imagine he won’t soon find himself in Ferrari’s iconic red. He’s already raced for the team once this season and is set for a full-time F1 seat with Haas in 2025. However, given Ferrari’s long-standing history of developing their junior drivers, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Bearman make the leap to the Scuderia in the near future.
For now, Bearman’s focus is clear: learn, improve, and prepare for 2025. As Komatsu noted, “This weekend was just a dress rehearsal for what’s to come.” And based on what we’ve seen so far, Ferrari, and the entire F1 paddock, should be paying close attention.
With two rookies—Bearman and Franco Colapinto—making waves on the circuit, it’s clear that a new generation of drivers is ready to take the reins. And if Bearman continues to develop at his current pace, he might just blaze a trail as bright as Leclerc’s, if not brighter.
In a season where Red Bull’s dominance has faltered and McLaren has surged to the forefront, the future of Formula 1 looks more competitive than ever. Bearman’s performances are not just a sign of what’s to come for Haas, but potentially for Ferrari too. With drivers like him on the rise, the future of F1 is in incredibly capable hands.
