It’s no secret that Haas are considering signing Oliver Bearman for the 2025 Formula 1 season providing Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur with a decision to make.
Ferrari are one of only two teams on the grid – alongside McLaren – who have confirmed their driver line-up for next year.
In his column for the Formula 1 website, journalist Lawrence Barretto has shared what he’s heard in some of the behind-the-scenes negotiations between the two parties.
Haas know they have at least one seat to fill for next season after Nico Hulkenberg decided to join Sauber ahead of Audi’s takeover of the team.
Kevin Magnussen is still in limbo over his future, meaning team boss Ayao Komatsu potentially has two seats to fill.
Frederic Vasseur appears to be keen on Oliver Bearman joining Haas next year so that he can attain some valuable experience.
Nothing has been signed or announced yet, but the British teenager could be confirmed as the first rookie on the grid in 2025.
READ MORE: Who is Ferrari reserve driver Oliver Bearman? Everything you need to know
Frederic Vasseur talking ‘regularly’ with Haas over 2025 Oliver Bearman move
Twelve months ago, the idea of Haas being one of the most appealing options on the F1 grid for drivers would have been laughable.
They finished bottom of the Constructors’ Championship and let Guenther Steiner go as a result.
However, Haas have leapfrogged Alpine, Williams and Sauber in the pecking order this year, thanks mainly to some brilliant performances from Nico Hulkenberg.
With so many contracts expiring up and down the paddock, they suddenly have plenty of options to choose from when crafting their next driver pairing.
Team owner Gene Haas has insisted that he’s not particularly keen on signing another rookie after the difficult time Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin had with the team.
However, Haas’s partnership with Ferrari means Vasseur has spotted an opportunity to get his strongest young driver – Oliver Bearman – a coveted spot in Formula 1.
After his cameo in Saudi Arabia, he appears to already be up to the challenge of regularly facing off against the very best.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Haas F1 Team from team principal to Ferrari relationship
Frederic Vasseur and Ayao Komatsu are constantly discussing Oliver Bearman
Discussing the 19-year-old’s future, Barretto said: “Ollie Bearman delivered an accomplished performance as a stand-in for the unwell Carlos Sainz at Ferrari in Saudi Arabia, scoring points on his Formula 1 debut with little preparation.
“The Briton has impressed Haas when he’s spent time at the team, including in two FP1 appearances last year and the first of six planned runs this year.
“His ability to get up to speed quickly, complete testing programmes to a high level, deliver expected lap times, offer concise feedback and gel with the team has all hit the mark.”
“It’s why sources say Komatsu and Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur have talked regularly over recent months regarding putting the Ferrari junior in one of the Haas race seats next year and that it is, as I’ve written for months, near enough a done deal.”
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory
Who could join Oliver Bearman at Haas in 2025?
If talks continue to go well between Vasseur and Haas boss Komatsu then it would be a surprise if Bearman – who already has six F1 points to his name this year – isn’t confirmed sooner rather than later.
His performances in FP1 are expected to be much more important than how he fares in Formula 2, which will benefit the 19-year-old as PREMA are having a tricky season.
Haas are casting the net far and wide as they search for the best driver to place alongside Bearman next year.
Esteban Ocon is an option for Haas as his time at Alpine looks set to come to an end.
Haas are also considering a move for Yuki Tsunoda with his chances of earning a promotion to the Red Bull team looking very slim.
The American outfit will want a partnership that can lead them into the next set of regulations in 2026 and Bearman certainly has age on his side when it comes to long-term planning in Formula 1.
The post ‘Sources say’: Journalist shares how Frederic Vasseur talks are going with Haas over Oliver Bearman 2025 move appeared first on F1 Oversteer.