Ollie Bearman has been announced as one of Haas F1’s full-time drivers for the 2025 Formula 1 season. The 19-year-old Ferrari junior driver currently competes in F2 and made his first F1 start earlier this year. Bearman expressed his immense pride at the opportunity to drive for Haas F1 and begin his Formula 1 career.
Earlier this season, Bearman was called up to substitute for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix when Sainz was diagnosed with appendicitis. Bearman had an impressive performance, qualifying 11th and finishing seventh ahead of top drivers like Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton. This strong showing indicated that Bearman was ready for a full-time ride in F1, leading to his signing with Haas for the 2025 season.
As the reserve driver for both Ferrari and Haas this season, Bearman was the logical choice to move into a full-time seat with Haas, which uses Ferrari engines in its cars. With Nico Hulkenberg leaving for Sauber in 2025 and Kevin Magnussen’s contract up at the end of the season, Haas needed at least one new driver. Options for Bearman’s teammate include Valtteri Bottas and Esteban Ocon, who are reportedly ahead of Magnussen on the list of potential candidates.
Gene Haas, the owner of Haas F1, has expressed his commitment to the team and the sport following the closure of his Stewart-Haas Racing NASCAR team. While SHR will no longer compete in NASCAR, Haas plans to continue his involvement in motorsports by fielding a car in the Cup Series in 2025 and maintaining SHR’s two-car Xfinity Series team.
