Oliver Bearman has signed a contract to drive for the Haas Formula 1 team starting in 2025.
Haas announced the signing on Thursday without giving more details. The 19-year-old British driver will take the place of Nico Hulkenberg, who is moving to Sauber at the end of this year before it becomes Audi in 2026.
“I can’t express how much this means to me. Saying that I’ll be a Formula 1 driver for Haas F1 Team makes me incredibly proud,” Bearman said. “To be one of the few who get to live their childhood dream is truly amazing.”
Bearman impressed with a seventh-place finish at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in March, filling in for Carlos Sainz Jr. Sainz had appendicitis and needed surgery, giving Bearman an unexpected F1 debut.
At just 18 years old then, Bearman became the third-youngest driver in F1. Despite limited experience with Haas — only two practice sessions in 2023 — he drove exceptionally well on a challenging circuit.
Currently racing in the F2 championship, Bearman is also a reserve driver for both Ferrari and Haas, which uses Ferrari engines. He recently won the sprint race at the Austrian GP driving for Prema Racing in F2.
Bearman joined Ferrari’s prestigious academy in 2021 after being recognized as a rising star.
“I owe a lot to Ferrari. Thank you for preparing me since F4 for this incredible opportunity, and I’ll give it everything I have,” Bearman said. Gene Haas, the team owner, has high expectations for Bearman.
“He’s clearly an exciting rookie prospect, not just from what he showed in Saudi Arabia but also from his time developing with our team,” Haas said. “I’m personally excited to see his growth as a driver, and we’re eager to see him perform for Haas F1 Team next season and beyond.”
