Oliver Bearman has made a spotty start to his Formula One career, but he told AFP he has "what it takes to become a world champion", hopefully for Ferrari. At just 21, the Englishman started his second full season strongly for Haas, with top-10 finishes in the first two races but has since picked up only one more point. Part of a quintet of youngsters in the paddock, Bearman trails behind Franco Colapinto and Isack Hadjar, in their early twenties, as well as 18-year-old Arvid Lindblad.
But they have all been overshadowed by Kimi Antonelli, who turns 20 next month and tops the driver standings with more points than the other four put together. Talking exclusively to AFP, Bearman said that having competed with Antonelli at youth level, he is encouraged by the Italian's success. I was comparing myself with him for one year," said Bearman.
"He's racing in the World Championship fight, so that gives me confidence that one day, if I have the best car, I can do the same. "I know I have what it takes to become a world champion." Nonetheless, Bearman conceded that "there's a lot of external factors which are out of the driver's hands". "There's been lots of drivers who are deserving of a world champion who never got it," the Chelmsford native said.
"I have the confidence in myself that I have what it takes. "If you don't have that, then you shouldn't turn up to the track." He said he is progressing as a driver even though Haas are battling to stay competitive. "We started incredibly strong, which is a really cool moment for the team and everybody.
I'm really happy with what I'm doing," Bearman said. Bearman joined the Ferrari driver academy aged 16. At 18, he became the Scuderia's youngest Formula One driver when he finished seventh in Saudi Arabia in 2024.
Later that season he raced twice for Ferrari-powered Haas, recording a pair of top-10 finishes. Last season, Bearman became a full-time Haas driver. The high point was fourth place in Mexico which, in the team's 11th season, was one of their best ever finishes.
Summary from source