F1 News: Oliver Bearman Eyes Lewis Hamilton Seat After Securing 2025 Seat With Haas

Saajan Jogia | Jul 10, 2024

Oliver Bearman / Ferrari Press Image

F2 driver Oliver Bearman has revealed that it would be difficult not to think about replacing Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari in the future. The 18-year-old British driver recently secured a full-time 2025 seat in Formula 1 with Haas for two years.

Bearman made his Formula 1 debut in March this year, stepping in for Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, who was sidelined due to appendicitis surgery in Saudi Arabia. The young talent impressed with a strong performance, securing a seventh-place finish within the points.

Bearman revealed that racing for Ferrari is his long-term goal, but with Charles Leclerc bagging a 4-year contract extension with the Red team, Hamilton seems to be the nearest viable option to replace since his contract lasts for 2+1 years.

The F2 driver remained modest when discussing the prospect of replacing Hamilton in the future. He told the media:

"It's hard not to think about it, but I am not thinking about it.

"I feel like all I can do is perform at my best, and that is my goal.

"Anything that comes after that is not really within my control, but I am focusing on my future with Haas at the moment - and I am really excited to get started."

Bearman explained that while his short-term goal is to finish F2 and focus on racing for Haas next year, his long-term ambition is to achieve success in Formula 1 with Ferrari. He added:

"The long term dream remains the same, I want to be successful in F1.

"I want to win races and championships, and with the support and loyalty Ferrari have shown me, it is only right that I would want to do that with Ferrari.

"It is every boy's dream, and making my debut with them made that even stronger, but by the same token, I am also looking at this in the short and medium term.

"My short-term is finishing Formula 2 and looking towards next year [in the medium] with Haas, and, I am really excited for that."