Oliver Bearman made a significant impression this year with his Formula 1 debut in Saudi Arabia, where he replaced the ill Carlos Sainz and finished seventh. Initially, it seemed as if Ferrari would immediately offer him a seat, but according to performance engineer Jock Clear, it’s a good thing that didn’t happen. Bearman has chosen to take an intermediate step with Haas, and Clear can’t imagine a better scenario.
A Smart Move for Bearman
From 2025, Bearman will be part of the Haas team, alongside Esteban Ocon. The young Brit is seen as a great talent, but Clear views the intermediate step at Haas as a necessary learning curve. Instead of being thrown in at the deep end with Ferrari, Bearman gets the space at Haas to further develop without the immense pressure of a top team.
Clear was skeptical about a possible direct return to Ferrari after Bearman’s debut. “Everyone was excited and wondered if Bearman would get another chance if Sainz was out of action for longer,” he says in the F1 Nation podcast. “But all I thought was: preferably not. He had that one great race, let him process that first.”
Time Needed to Get Started
According to Clear, we should not expect rookies like Bearman to shine immediately. “There are young drivers who get off the ground quickly and can handle the pressure right away. Bearman is a driver who needs a bit more time to get started. I look more at his potential in the medium term.” Bearman gets that time at Haas. According to Clear, Haas is an ideal environment to grow, without the direct expectations that a seat at Ferrari brings. “At Haas, he can gain valuable experience and prepare himself for the future.”
