Oliver Bearman Declares He's 'Ready' for Ferrari Seat
After outscoring Esteban Ocon in his rookie season, Oliver Bearman believes he is 'ready' for a promotion to Ferrari, though he admits he must continue to prove his worth amid uncertainty around the Scuderia's 2026 driver lineup.
After a strong rookie season where he narrowly outscored veteran teammate Esteban Ocon, Oliver Bearman has declared he feels "ready" for a promotion to Ferrari. The young British driver, a long-standing member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, honestly admitted that he must "continue to prove" he belongs at the top. His confidence comes after a noticeable improvement in performance and consistency throughout the 2025 season.
Why it matters:
Bearman's statement lands at a pivotal time for Ferrari's driver lineup. With Lewis Hamilton enduring a difficult first season and Charles Leclerc publicly framing 2026 as a "now or never" title opportunity, the Scuderia's long-term driver plans are under intense scrutiny. As Ferrari's top young prospect, Bearman's readiness directly impacts the team's future options and succession planning.
The details:
- On-track performance: Bearman finished his debut season with 41 points, three more than his Grand Prix-winning teammate, Esteban Ocon. His standout drive was a fourth-place finish in Mexico, where he calmly fended off pressure from Max Verstappen.
- Self-awareness: While confident, Bearman acknowledged a mid-season slump of four consecutive 11th-place finishes, framing his recent success as a result of both personal growth and improved car performance.
- Team perspective: Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu praised Bearman's obvious speed but highlighted his journey in maturing as an F1 driver. Komatsu noted early-season errors like crashes in Melbourne and Silverstone, but emphasized a significant step forward in consistency and composure from the Singapore Grand Prix onwards.
What's next:
Bearman is set to remain with Haas for the 2026 season, providing him another crucial year to hone his skills. All eyes will be on his development as the Ferrari driver market situation unfolds. If Hamilton continues to struggle or Leclerc decides to seek a new challenge, a strong 2026 campaign from Bearman could position him as the logical candidate for a Ferrari seat as early as 2027.