Oliver Bearman emerges as a prominent figure in the Formula 1 driver market after his impressive performance at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. With the announcement of his deal with Sauber, which will become Audi from 2026, there are now speculations about who will secure the seat at Haas for 2025. This sudden decision to leave the American team is expected to have a significant impact on the driver market.
According to an F1 expert, a Ferrari academy driver is currently leading the race to secure the Haas seat. This young British driver has gained widespread admiration for his brief appearance in F1 during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this season, replacing another driver who couldn’t participate due to appendicitis. Despite currently holding the 19th position in the F2 championship, he was initially a standout before being called up to replace Carlos Sainz in Jeddah. His exceptional performance in the junior categories has made him one of the most promising talents in Formula 1.
Sources suggest that Oliver Bearman is the favorite to replace Nico Hulkenberg at Haas. This information comes from an internal source in the F1 community, who believes that the 18-year-old Prema driver will secure the Haas seat for 2025, largely due to his connections with Scuderia Ferrari. Bearman’s excellent performance at the Saudi Arabian GP has generated high expectations among fans, eager to see his skills if he indeed joins Haas.
Nico Hulkenberg has faced a series of unfortunate events throughout his F1 career. However, there is no denying his skill and talent, as he consistently outperforms the car provided to him. Even in the unimpressive VF-24 of Haas, Hulkenberg continues to showcase his capabilities. Audi seems particularly proud to have signed the German driver, who has over 200 starts in F1 and consistently delivers strong performances in different cars. The CEO of Audi’s F1 division expressed his excitement, describing Hulkenberg’s signing as a significant milestone for the team’s entry into Formula 1 in 2026.
The CEO further emphasized the alignment between him and Hulkenberg regarding Audi’s F1 project, expressing confidence that the driver will contribute to the team’s development and car improvement in the coming years. Hulkenberg’s signing serves as a small sample of Audi’s grand plans to establish its presence in F1, with its official entry under its own brand scheduled for 2026.
