50/50 Chance That Bearman 'Is New Max Verstappen' According To Steiner

Friday, 31 May 2024 at 18:00

Guenther Steiner, former Haas team principal, asserted there is a good chance Oliver Bearman will become the next Max Verstappen.

Olliver Bearman is part of Ferrari academy, and he has entered Haas's radar already during the 2023 season when he showed some incredible performances in the F2 Championship.

However, the 2024 probably increased his chances for a seat tenfold with his performance for Ferrari during the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The 19-year-old answered a last-minute call up from Scuderia to jump in the seat of SF-24 instead of Carlos Sainz and drove, all in all, a flawless weekend to score P7.

It was then that Guenther Steiner said he would put him in the seat of an F1 car after watching his performance. During his recent appearance on The Red Flags Podcast, the former team principal confirmed he still believes the youngster would be a great choice for Haas.

"I think Oliver Bearman is a good move for Haas. Bearman did well in the Ferrari, even if it was only one race, and I think he knows himself."

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Another very young and talented driver, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, is expected to join F1 next year. Many called him the next Verstappen, but Steiner suggested there is a 50/50 chance Bearman could also be the one.

"It's a little too early to say, 'This is the now the new Max Verstappen.' He could be it, but it's also 50/50. You have no certainty that it will be him."

Bearman is expected to have a seat in Haas starting in 2025. However, Steiner pointed out a couple of talented and experienced drivers on the current grid without a contract.

"I think there is a good waiting list. I would say that the two Alpine drivers are looking around, although I think their demands in terms of money are higher than what Haas can offer."