Haas has introduced that its reserve driver Oliver Bearman will race for the squad in Formulation 1 subsequent 12 months.
The Ferrari Academy teenager had lengthy been tipped for the seat within the wake of his spectacular F1 debut on the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the place he completed seventh for the Prancing Horse after a late call-up to exchange Carlos Sainz.
Oliver Bearman: The rise of Britain’s next Formula 1 star
Talking about his deal, Bearman described it as “unimaginable” to assume that he was now a fully-fledged F1 driver.
“It’s arduous to place into phrases simply how a lot this implies to me,” he mentioned. “To say out loud that I shall be a Formulation 1 driver for MoneyGram Haas F1 Team makes me so immensely proud.
“To be one of many only a few individuals who get to do the factor what they dreamed of as a toddler is one thing actually unimaginable.
“To Gene [Haas], Ayao [Komatsu] and everybody at Haas, thanks for believing in me and for trusting me to characterize your workforce.”
Oliver Bearman, Haas VF-24
Photograph by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Having carried out a number of observe outings for Haas each final 12 months and this, in addition to profitable in Formulation 2, the American-owned outfit has little doubt that the Briton has what it takes to achieve success.
Staff principal Ayao Komatsu mentioned: “It’s an thrilling factor to have the ability to give a younger driver as proficient as Oliver Bearman his first full-time seat in Formulation 1.
“He’s developed into an extremely mature driver underneath the steering of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy and the world noticed that for themselves when he was referred to as in on the final minute to compete on the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
“Oliver proved he was greater than prepared for the duty, and we’ve seen that for ourselves working him within the Haas vehicles in our FP1 periods over the previous two seasons.
“We’re wanting ahead to additional creating him as a driver and reaping the advantages of his expertise – each inside and out of doors of the automotive.
“Oliver’s a terrific man and a really welcome addition to the workforce when he joins us for the FP1 weekends. Now we all know that relationship goes to be longer-term, it’s a Positive factor for all involved.”
Ayao Komatsu, Staff Principal, Haas F1 Staff, speaks with Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Staff
Photograph by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
In addition to working in free observe for Haas at Silverstone this weekend, Bearman will even get FP1 outings in Hungary, Mexico and Abu Dhabi.
Bearman has been a member of Ferrari’s younger driver programme because the finish of 2021, having received that 12 months’s Italian F4 championship.
In 2022, he completed third general within the F3 championship for Prema, previous to stepping as much as F2 final 12 months.
He took 4 wins en path to sixth within the championship, whereas this 12 months, off the again of a dash race win in Austria final weekend with the underperforming Prema workforce, he’s 14th at present.
Whereas Haas has introduced Bearman, it has not but selected who shall be his team-mate for 2025.
It has been strongly linked with Esteban Ocon, who’s leaving Alpine on the finish of this season, however the Frenchman can also be a candidate for Williams.
Valtteri Bottas may be a risk, whereas present driver Kevin Magnussen hopes that improved outcomes from him can persuade Haas to present him one other contract.