Oliver Bearman has a clear understanding of why Haas chose him as their 2025 driver. According to the British racer, the American team was primarily impressed by his driving skills during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Despite having a challenging year in Formula 2, Bearman is yet to fully comprehend the reasons behind his struggles.
Bearman made a strong impression during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, stepping in as a replacement for Carlos Sainz. The young Brit finished seventh in his Formula 1 debut. However, his performance in his own racing class, Formula 2, has been less than stellar. Currently, he ranks thirteenth in the championship, with a mere 34 points.
The future Haas driver, therefore, believes his Formula 1 race was the deciding factor for the American team to choose Bearman. “I think Saudi showed what I was capable of,” Bearman reflects on his debut race. “It showed that rookies and people with less experience really aren’t that far behind the other drivers. I’m glad Saudi happened because I think it made a significant contribution to why I’m here now.”
A Difficult Year in Formula 2
The Ferrari reserve driver candidly admits that his Formula 2 season has been disappointing. He only qualified in the front row twice in the first eight rounds of the feeder series. Bearman was also involved in collisions in Bahrain, Melbourne, and Silverstone, and had bad luck in Monaco and Imola. “I feel like I’m performing at a higher level than ever, but then I arrive in Barcelona and literally finish last. Last year I won the race by three seconds,” Bearman also emphasized.
The young Brit, however, does not yet know why his Formula 2 season is going so poorly. “I hope I can attribute the inconsistency to something other than myself, because honestly, I feel like I’m performing better than ever,” says Bearman. “That makes sense, because I now also have more experience.”
