Dr. Helmut Marko has advocated for Ferrari to consider placing the promising newcomer Oliver Bearman with their affiliated Haas team for the upcoming 2025 season.
Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal, conceded the possibility of Bearman making a full-time debut with Haas next year, following the 18-year-old’s impressive seventh-place finish in place of Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Marko, renowned as Red Bull’s F1 consultant, hailed Bearman’s performance during the recent race weekend as “sensational.”
“His performance on the challenging Jeddah circuit, especially with limited practice, was truly remarkable,” the 80-year-old remarked to Speed Week. “At times, he demonstrated driving capabilities on par with Charles Leclerc.”
Expressing his perplexity over Ferrari’s current strategy, Marko pointed to their acquisition of Lewis Hamilton alongside Leclerc’s long-term contract, juxtaposed with Bearman’s emerging talent.
“If I were Fred Vasseur, I’d swiftly secure a racing seat for Bearman in another team—perhaps at Haas,” Marko suggested.
Highlighting Haas’ close ties to Ferrari as a customer team utilizing their engines and components, Marko hinted that Ferrari might need to negotiate with Haas to accommodate Bearman, considering the financial implications.
“The teams are currently financially well-off, so Ferrari might need to pay a premium for this privilege,” Marko observed.
While acknowledging Bearman’s potential, the newly appointed Haas team principal, Ayao Komatsu, refrained from confirming his spot for the next season, citing strong performances from Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg in Saudi Arabia.
“Although Bearman deserves recognition for his performance, it’s premature to finalize our driver lineup for next year,” Komatsu stated.
However, Haas plans to provide Bearman with opportunities, scheduling him for six initial practice sessions in 2024. Komatsu praised Bearman’s previous outings with the team in Mexico and Abu Dhabi, acknowledging his standout talent.
“His performances in those sessions showcased his exceptional skills, making him a serious contender for a full-time debut in 2025,” Komatsu affirmed.
Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher emphasized the importance of providing opportunities to young talents like Bearman, particularly in light of the absence of full-time rookies on the current grid—a first in F1 history.
“The lack of support for young drivers could deter sponsors, investors, and parents from backing their aspirations,” Schumacher cautioned, highlighting the financial stakes involved in nurturing emerging talents.
