- Ollie Bearman confirmed as Haas Formula 1 driver for next season
- His position was announced ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix.
- Mail Sport first reported the 19-year-old’s deal with Haas last month.
British teenager Ollie Bearman has been confirmed as a Formula One driver at Haas for next season.
The 19-year-old’s position was announced ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone, a boost for the sport after his excellent debut as understudy to Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in Saudi Arabia in March.
He was recruited at the last minute when the Spaniard suffered appendicitis and finished seventh.
The Essex-born driver, who has been part of the Ferrari Academy since 2021, will make his full-time debut in Melbourne next March, becoming the fourth Briton on the grid, alongside seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and race winners Lando Norris and George Russell.
Bearman said: “It’s hard to put into words how much this means to me. To say out loud that I will be a Formula 1 driver for the MoneyGram Haas F1 Team makes me very proud.”
British teenager Ollie Bearman has been confirmed as a Formula One driver at Haas for next season
Bearman began motorsport at the age of eight and enjoyed success on the karting circuit.
The 19-year-old, who replaced Carlos Sainz in March this season, joins Lewis Hamilton (centre), George Russell (left) and Lando Norris as the fourth Briton on the grid.
Bearman celebrates with Josep Maria Martí (right) after winning a Formula 2 race in Austria
“To be one of the few people who can do what they dreamed of when they were kids is something truly incredible. To Gene (Haas, the owner), Ayao (Komatsu, team principal) and everyone at Haas, thank you for believing in me and trusting me to represent your team.
‘I have thoroughly enjoyed working with everyone since we first met in Mexico and I can’t wait to enjoy this time with them and look forward to many more in the future.
“To everyone at the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy: I simply wouldn’t be here without you. Thank you for preparing me from F4 for this incredible opportunity and I know I will give it everything I have.”
Mail Sport broke the news of Bearman’s deal with Haas last month.
Bearman, who grew up in Chelmsford but lives in Italy, competes in the Formula Two championship, where he finished his first season sixth overall.
He won the 2021 Italian Formula 4 Championship and the 2021 ADAC Formula 4 Championship. He also competed in the FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2022.
Gene Haas said: ‘I am pleased that we have been able to give Oliver Bearman this opportunity to drive full-time in Formula 1.
Hamilton congratulated Bearman as he got out of his car after the race in Jeddah in March.
Before pursuing his Formula One dream, the teenager needed to persuade his mother Terri (right) to abandon his private school education at King Edward VI Grammar School.
The 19-year-old host is reportedly dating Estelle Oglivy, who has 72,000 followers on TikTok.
“He is certainly a promising rookie, not only because of what he showed in Saudi Arabia, but also because of the time he spent developing his relationship with our team.
“I’m excited to see how he grows as a driver and we look forward to seeing him perform at his best for the Haas team next season and beyond.
“The signing of Oliver demonstrates that we continue to invest in talent, both on and off the track, while continuing to compete at the highest level.”