Bearman reveals his burning ambition to race for Ferrari, detailing the trust and investment that fuel his dream of a coveted Scuderia seat.
Oliver Bearman is one of the standout names in Formula 1's new generation. Alongside Kimi Antonelli, Isack Hadjar, Franco Colapinto, and others, he arrived in the pinnacle of motorsport younger than most of his predecessors.
The young Brit made his Ferrari debut under dramatic circumstances, stepping in as an emergency replacement for Carlos Sainz at the Singapore Grand Prix after the Spaniard fell ill. Against all expectations, Bearman delivered an impressive performance that earned him the respect of the entire grid.
Although he didn't hold onto that seat, Bearman remains part of Ferrari's Driver Academy, meaning the Maranello outfit controls both his future and the team he races for — which is why he currently competes for Haas, a team closely aligned with Ferrari.
Following a dreadful 2025 season, rumors of Lewis Hamilton's potential retirement have fueled intense speculation about who could fill his seat at the Scuderia. Thanks to a strong start to the 2026 F1 season, Bearman has firmly established himself as a candidate for that coveted chair in the near future.
What Did Oliver Bearman Say About the Ferrari Seat?
Appearing on the Up to Speed podcast, Bearman addressed the possibility of one day stepping into a Ferrari race seat: "That is, of course, my goal — especially given the trust they showed me from the very beginning, bringing me into their academy, investing in me from F3 all the way to Formula 1, placing me in this seat at Haas, and also trusting me with their car when Carlos [Sainz] was unwell."
"They had reserve drivers with far more experience, but they gave the opportunity to an 18-year-old, and thankfully, it worked out. So they've shown me enormous belief from day one. I hope that one day I get to put on a Ferrari suit and race for them."
"I understand it's a long journey — I need to prove I'm capable of competing at Ferrari's level. The pressure is obviously much greater at a top team like that, so continuing to develop with Haas is both enjoyable and invaluable in terms of what I'm learning," said Bearman, with his sights firmly set on a red future.
After what we've seen with Lewis Hamilton, perhaps Ferrari could change its driver selection strategy and adopt Mercedes' approach by signing a young prospect who can secure the team's present and future. While having Hamilton has brought significant financial rewards, his retirement in the near future wouldn't surprise anyone.