Bearman thinks the unusually large number of rookie drivers joining him in Formula 1 in 2025 will give him a boost in his first full-time season with Haas.
The 19-year-old is one of six newcomers on the F1 grid in 2025, despite a relatively quiet driver market at the start of the 2024 season.
At the Scuderia in March.
Bearman was impressed by his seventh-place finish at the season's second round, which opened doors for several younger drivers hoping to take the next step up to F1. With a large number of rookies on this year's grid, the Haas driver believes the group provides a helpful buffer to the intense pressure that inevitably builds during debut campaigns in the series.
It's comforting to know that I'm not the only one navigating a new season and a new challenge, as there are others going through the same experience with me, which is a pleasant sensation.
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team Driver
Photo by: Motorsport Images
The number of new drivers in F1 2025 increases with Red Bull adding two more fresh faces (Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson) to its junior driver program – with Lawson's participation in 11 races already completed making it difficult to classify him as a newcomer to the series.
Before Bearman's appearance in Saudi Arabia, it was generally believed that many other teams would be hesitant to entrust young drivers with F1 seats on such a large scale, as the preference for experienced drivers had remained consistent across the midfield.
Bearman's performance in Jeddah in 2023 convinced Haas to continue preparing him for a full-time driver role with Oscar Piastri.
This idea began to take shape after Bearman's first appearance in a Haas F1 car during the opening practice session at the 2023 Mexican GP. Bearman's status as a Ferrari junior also allowed Haas to save on his salary costs.
To sign back-to-back FIA Formula 3 and Formula 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto.
At the same time, the static car design rules for 2025 also allow teams that choose to run rookies to adapt their new drivers ahead of the significant changes to the chassis and engine regulations scheduled for 2026.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team's Oliver Bearman, Ferrari's Reserve Driver, and Haas F1 Team's player, enjoy a game of pickleball in the paddock.
Photo by Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Bearman said he is familiar with his fellow newcomers "quite well," having competed alongside them (except for Lawson) in lower formula championships as part of the F1 support program.
I competed against Jack in the F2 series in 2023," Bearman said. "I've raced against all of them. But Kimi, Gabriel, and Isack – I actually raced against them last year and we have a good relationship,
“Specifically Kimi. I've been his teammate for a year, but also, Gabri, I've been friends with him for a few years and have also been racing against him for a few years too.”
I'm looking forward to sharing the track with them this year. And Jack also had his first F1 race with Alpine in Abu Dhabi, so it's all falling into place and it's really exciting.
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