The talented driver, now at Haas, after his debut in 2024 when he replaced Sainz: “Racing in red is my life’s goal, it’s what drives me to give my all and gets me pumped up every morning.”
Oliver Bearman’s first F1 Grand Prix was at the wheel of a Ferrari. Carlos Sainz, who underwent surgery for appendicitis in Jeddah in 2024, was replaced by a young Briton, who finished seventh. Now, after his first year as a regular driver at Haas, that young man has only one goal: to return to racing for Ferrari. And he wants Maranello to know it.
How would you rate your first season in Formula 1?
“It was long and demanding. I had already had a taste of F1 with three races last year, but a full season as a regular driver is totally different, even in aspects that are perhaps underestimated, such as the amount of time we spend away from home. You have to learn to manage your energy, and I think this first year has been very instructive, especially in that regard.“
Looking back, what advice would you give to Bearman at the beginning of the year?
”To stay motivated and determined even in the worst and most difficult moments. There were times when I did stupid things during the season, things that I obviously wouldn’t repeat now, but I think it all helped me learn and improve more quickly. So I don’t regret those moments, I would just tell him never to lose heart.“
What was the most difficult moment of the season?
”Australia. It was a terrible start to the World Championship, a weekend full of mistakes that ended with an accident. It’s definitely not what you want as a rookie in your first race of the year. Then another tough moment was Silverstone, especially because it was my home race weekend and I made a very stupid mistake that cost me a penalty, but from then on I think I improved a lot. I learned a lesson.“
Last year, you raced in F2 against Hadjar, who will be in Red Bull alongside Verstappen next year. Are you surprised by his progress?
”I’m very happy for him, he’s shown a lot of talent, and it’s great that our generation is conquering the top teams, as is Kimi Antonelli with Mercedes. I must say I’m also a little jealous that they can fight at the front, but my time will come too.“
With Ferrari?
”That’s my dream, it’s what drives me to give my all and gets me fired up every morning. I want to race in red, I want to win in red: it’s my life’s goal. I was lucky to have had a taste of it when I raced in Jeddah in 2024 to replace Sainz, and now that I know how it feels, I’m even more motivated. But for now, I’m focusing on my team, trying to do my best here, knowing that my dream will come true one day.”
Could the 2026 results be a great opportunity to get noticed in Maranello?
“I want 2026 to be a solid year, especially for my team, Haas, to try to seize the best opportunities with them in this new regulatory change. For the rest, I have no control: I feel ready for whatever the future holds. And next year, with more experience, I want to show that even more. To everyone.”
