Oliver Bearman has just seen his chances of racing in Formula 1 next year improve considerably. That’s after Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg agreed to join Audi.
Hulkenberg will leave Haas at the end of the year after signing a multi-year deal with the German manufacturer. He’ll race for Sauber in 2025 prior to their 2026 rebrand.
Bearman stands out as one of the likeliest candidates to replace him at the American team. The Ferrari junior drove for the team in FP1 at the Mexican and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix last year.
And crucially, he’ll represent them in as many as six Friday sessions this term, the first of which will be at Imola. They may effectively be an audition.
The Prema F2 star made headlines at the Saudi Arabian GP when he replaced an unwell Carlos Sainz at Ferrari. Bearman won the driver of the day award after battling his way to seventh in Jeddah.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu was hugely impressed with his performance, calling him a ‘total package’. He’s apparently more interested in signing the 18-year-old than Gene Haas himself.
The 71-year-old may want a further incentive before he effectively trains up a Ferrari driver. That could potentially come in the form of a discount on their power unit.
Haas have three alternatives to Oliver Bearman
According to Auto Motor und Sport, there are a number of alternatives available for Haas if Bearman ‘doesn’t meet expectations’. He’s under pressure to deliver in F2 this year as well as his FP1 outings.
It’s been a difficult start to the season for the Briton in the feeder series. He’s down in 19th in the standings with two points, although he did miss the Jeddah race after qualifying on pole.
One possible plan-b is Valtteri Bottas in what would be an unintentional ‘swap’ with Sauber. Hulkenberg’s move means that at least one of Bottas or Zhou will be sacrificed this season.
And with Audi still chasing Carlos Sainz, there’s a possibility that both will make way. Bottas would bring plenty of pedigree to Haas, having won 10 races during his time at Mercedes.
The report also says we shouldn’t discount Alpine duo Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon. Both drivers are Grand Prix winners and they’re out of contract at the end of the season.
Gasly and Ocon may be frustrated after Alpine took a major step in the wrong direction over the winter. Sauber, who have also failed to score a point, won’t represent an immediate upgrade but their future with Audi is intriguing.
Oliver Bearman could join Kimi Antonelli on F1 grid
While a seat for 2025 isn’t certain, Bearman certainly looks like the favourite for a shot at Haas next year. His future may be in his own hands.
There’s a possibility that he could be racing alongside his F2 teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli at the highest level next season. Antonelli is in contention for both a seat at Williams, to replace Logan Sargeant, and a sensational promotion to the Mercedes senior team.
For the first time in F1 history, there are no rookies in this year’s field after every team opted to retain their line-up. But we could see an injection of fresh talent in 2025.
Indeed, former F2 star Jack Doohan could also be in line for a drive if either Ocon or Gasly leave Alpine. And Liam Lawson is expected to land a first full-time deal with RB after a five-race stint last year.
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