Oliver Bearman: What Are His Options As An F1 Driver?
Ferrari reserve driver Oliver Bearman made waves in the Formula 1 world in Saudi Arabia with an impressive seventh-place finish in his debut race, despite being notified just two hours ahead of FP3. As 13 driver contracts are due to end after this season, numerous teams may consider hiring him for the 2025 season and beyond.
Key Takeaways:
- Ferrari reserve driver Oliver Bearman impressed in his Formula 1 debut in Saudi Arabia, finishing seventh with minimal notice.
- Several Formula 1 teams may consider hiring Bearman for the 2025 season due to his promising performance. 13 driver contracts are said to expire this year.
- However, his options could be limited by established contracts, such as those of Charles Leclerc with Ferrari and the extended contracts of drivers like Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris with McLaren.
Taking over from Carlos Sainz during his surgery for appendicitis, the 18-year-old British driver, who had secured pole position for the F2 feature race but had to forfeit his chance of victory to debut in F1, initially impressed in qualifying. He narrowly missed out on a spot in the top-10 shoot-out, falling short by just 0.036s to Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.
Team principal Fred Vasseur was left stunned by the Ferrari Academy driver's remarkable performance. In the 50-lap race, the most exhausting of Bearman's career to date, he efficiently went about his business, keeping the SF-24 off the walls before taking the chequered flag in P7.
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By demonstrating his potential as a formidable contender in F1, several teams may consider bringing him on board for the next season.
Haas
Haas, Ferrari's customer team, has both its driver contracts expiring this year. Nico Hulkenberg, who joined the team for the 2023 season, and Kevin Magnussen, who was onboarded in 2022, have their contracts expiring after the 24 Grands Prix this year. Though the team has been having a hard time improving the pace on its VF-24, a young performer on board like Bearman could change things for good. With Bearman being a reserve driver for the American-owned team as well as Ferrari, thisnisnthr obvious future for the young man.
Haas Press Image
Aston Martin
While Lance Stroll's contract is said to continue on a rolling basis, Fernando Alonso's tenure with the team ends this year. Team principal Mike Krack has revealed his intentions to keep Alonso for the future, but it remains to be seen if the 42-year-old intends to continue racing in F1 amid reports of his retirement and if he chooses to continue racing for Aston Martin. His move away from the Silverstone outfit could pave the way for Bearman if he decides that a team like Haas doesn't fill his potential.
While this moves him out of the Ferrari family, it would allow him to stretch his driving muscles in a car worthy of his talents, allowing him to market himself a bit more for the future.
Mercedes
With Lewis Hamilton's contract expiring this year as a result of his switch to Ferrari in 2025, Bearman could be a potential replacement alongside George Russell, who has been crowned the lead driver when the 7-time world champion. However, his entry could be blocked by Mercedes junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli unless he joins the Mercedes customer team, Williams, instead.
Williams
Alex Albon is to continue his stint with Williams until the end of 2025. However, with Logan Sargeant reportedly being given a last chance until the end of this year, there are high chances his seat will be up for grabs this year-end for Bearman to secure.
While we're only two races into the season, Sargeant is yet to show he's keeping up with James Vowles' vision for the team. So if there's a chance to bring in a tried and tested driver, albeit one with very little experience, I feel James would take the jump.
Ferrari Press Image
Sauber
Drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu have contracts that are expiring at the end of this year. As the team struggles with a number of issues, it might consider a fresh face for the next year, such as Bearman.
Although with Audi now firmly in the picture, they might look for a German driver, or one who already has connections to the manufacturer for a future seat. Maybe, Carlos Sainz, for example?
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Red Bull junior team VCARB also has contracts expiring with both its drivers, Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda. With a confirmation not in sight for any of them yet, Bearman has the potential to secure a seat, considering his promising performance.
Being accepted under the Red Bull umbrella is challenging, but a challenge I'm sure Bearman would accept.
Alpine
Alpine is also one of the teams where both driver contracts expire after the 2024 season. Amid major restructuring within the team, it remains to be seen what steps it would take in the future to up its game with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly. Thus, Alpine could be an option for Bearman to consider, although not necessarily a promising one.
Ferrari
The team has secured a long-term contract with Charles Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton is poised to take over from Carlos Sainz next year. As a result, there are currently no available spots until the distant future.
But if Bearman was to gain experience in another team while these contracts see themselves out, it's quite likely Ferrari would keep him in their sights while he puts F1 miles under his belt. Lewis likely won't be in the sport for too much longer before retirement, so if Bearman can hang on, he'll likely join the Scuderia at this peak.