AUSTIN — Oliver Bearman will once again have a new teammate for the 2027 Formula 1 season, as he and Haas have, as expected, confirmed a new deal for the upcoming campaign. This will make the young British driver a veteran within the team.
But while it gives Bearman a chance to show what he can do as a veteran F1 team leader, the driver believes his “big step” this season has already shown what he can do on the grid.
And where the future could take him.
“Honestly, I think I’ve already shown it,” Bearman said when asked by media, including SB Nation, about taking on the leadership role next year and what it could prove to the top teams in the network.
“I think this year was a big step for me in terms of, well, performance on the road. But more importantly, I saw a big step in how I handled the team, how I transitioned into the role of leading the team and how I handled the team, and how the team valued my opinion and feedback,” the Haas driver continued.
“It’s definitely important to get stronger as a team leader with more experience. But it’s not that you know I’m not doing well in that direction already.
“I think this year has been a big step in that respect and it’s normal coming from Formula 2 that it’s not an instant transition and it takes time. But I would say I’ve really, you know, come a long way in that respect.”
Haas has confirmed that Rafael Camara will join the team next year, marking a reunion for the two young drivers. Both signed up for the Ferrari Driver Academy at the same time and will now take to the F1 grid as teammates.
“Yeah, actually, it was funny because we joined Ferrari on the same day,” Bearman began Thursday.
“We both signed at the same time and I think our birthdays are three or four days apart. But no, it’s really nice. I think for him, he’s having a really good time in the junior formula and I think Haas is a great place to start your F1 career; you know, it’s a great team, it’s welcoming and probably quite different compared to other teams.
“I don’t know if some of the other teams tend to have new players go, but I really enjoyed the atmosphere here.”
With the two young drivers also members of the Ferrari Driver Academy expected to be at Haas next season, many believe it will set up a “shootout” between Bearman and Câmara for a place with the Scuderia in the future.
For Bearman, it’s his current Haas.
But his future is different.
“I am committed to Haas and the length of the contract [with Haas] not really my prerogative, you know. I’m happy to be in F1, but of course in the medium to long term I feel I’m ready to fight for the podiums and fight at the front,” continued Bearman.
“In terms of a midfield team, Haas is the team I want to be with and I see my future with them. But at some point I feel like I’ve got the opportunity to go out and look for a top four team,” Bearman added. “Of course, with my association with Ferrari, that will be my main goal. But yes, as I said, I don’t discuss the details; that is my short-term ambition and my medium and long-term prospects. [ambition] Of course, it is necessary to fight for podiums.
“Hopefully Haas can give me that opportunity, but, yeah, we’ll see.”
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