Bearman 'Absolutely' On Radar Of F1 Team Principal For Next Year: 'He's Total Package'
F1Wednesday, 13 March 2024 at 12:00
Haas F1 team principal Ayao Komatsu confirmed Oliver Bearman is on his radar as a potential driver for the 2025 season.
It doesn't happen very often that a rookie gets a chance to drive his first F1 race in Ferrari, but Oliver Bearman got this chance during the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and made the most of it.
He not only managed to finish the race at one of the most challenging circuits in the calendar, but he also finished in points- P7 and performed multiple impressive overtakes.
After the race, Bearman admitted he doesn't know what else he needs to do to deserve a seat in F1. The team principal of Haas, Ayao Komatsu, was asked after the race whether the 18-year-old was at least on his radar for the next year, and he responded to Sky Sports:
"Yeah, absolutely. To be honest, I haven't actually studied Ollie's race."
He was then told by one of the Sky Sports presenters and a former F1 driver, Karun Chandhok, that it was "very good," and the team principal of Haas continued:
"I'm sure given where he finished. But look, last year in FP1 sessions in Mexico and Abu Dhabi straight away it was obvious that he's a total package, he is so impressive. So I was very happy that we got him for six FP1s this year. And yeah very happy for him."
Bearman is currently part of Ferrari Academy, but the team has a close relationship with Haas, which supplies engines and other components to the American team.
The team is obviously interested in preparing the 18-year-old for F1, as he was provided six FP1 sessions throughout the 2024 season.
Rookie drivers nowadays don't have many opportunities to drive F1 cars and FP sessions are the only way they can gather experience in the newest 2024 models.
George Russell and Charles Leclerc asserted it's only a matter of time before we see Bearman on the grid as a full-time F1 driver after what he showed at Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Could it be already in 2025?
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