Bearman's Ferrari Dream Drives Haas 2026 Push
Ferrari junior Oliver Bearman calls winning for the Scuderia his 'goal in life.' While focused on proving himself at Haas in 2026, the British driver's ultimate ambition is a permanent seat in red, fueled by his brief 2024 debut for the team.
Oliver Bearman has declared that winning for Ferrari is his 'goal in life,' a dream that fuels his every move. The Ferrari junior, who made an impressive F1 debut for the Scuderia in 2024, is now focused on leveraging his seat at Haas to prove he's ready for a full-time drive in red come 2027, viewing the upcoming regulation change as his golden opportunity.
Why it matters:
Bearman's public declaration puts pressure on both himself and Ferrari. With Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton locked in for 2025-2026, the 2027 seat is the earliest realistic opportunity. His performance at Haas under the new regulations will be the ultimate audition, potentially shaping Ferrari's long-term driver lineup beyond its current stars and determining if a homegrown talent can reclaim the cockpit.
The details:
- The Ultimate Goal: Bearman stated, "I want to race in red. I want to win in red. And that's my goal in life." His one-off drive at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP, replacing an ill Carlos Sainz, gave him a "taste" of that feeling, intensifying his desire.
- 2026 Haas Focus: The British driver sees the new power unit regulations as a massive opportunity. He believes he's "performing at a very high level" and is ready to help Haas build a "strong car" to maximize his chances of impressing Maranello.
- A "Bit Jealous": He admitted to being "a bit jealous" of fellow rookie Isack Hadjar's promotion to Red Bull but remains confident his time will come, highlighting the intense competition among F1's rising stars for top seats.
- Room for Improvement: While his speed is undeniable, Bearman must reduce his mistake rate. He currently sits perilously close to a race ban, and demonstrating consistency is crucial to solidifying his case as a mature, ready-for-a-top-seat driver.
What's next:
The 2026 season is Bearman's proving ground. A strong performance with a competitive Haas car could make him the frontrunner for a Ferrari seat in 2027. Failure to capitalize on the opportunity, however, could see Ferrari look elsewhere, leaving his dream in the balance.