Oliver Bearman has emerged as a prominent figure in the Formula 1 driver market following his impressive performance at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP. With the announcement of his deal with Sauber, which will transition into Audi starting from 2026, there is now speculation about who will secure the Haas seat for 2025. This sudden decision to leave the American team is expected to have a significant impact on the driver market.
According to an F1 expert, a driver from the Ferrari academy is currently in the lead to secure the Haas seat. This young British driver gained widespread admiration for his brief appearance in F1 during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this season, filling in for another driver who was unable to participate due to appendicitis. Despite currently ranking 19th in the F2 championship, he was initially in pole position before being called upon to replace Carlos Sainz in Jeddah. His exceptional performance in the junior categories has made him one of the most promising talents in Formula 1.
Sources suggest that Oliver Bearman is the frontrunner to replace Nico Hulkenberg at Haas. This information comes from an insider in the F1 community who believes that the 18-year-old Prema driver will secure the Haas drive for 2025, largely due to his connections with Scuderia Ferrari. Bearman’s outstanding performance in the Saudi Arabian GP has generated great anticipation among fans, eager to witness his capabilities if he indeed joins Haas.
Nico Hulkenberg has endured a series of unfortunate events throughout his career as an F1 driver. However, there is no denying his skill and talent, as he consistently outperforms the machinery he is provided with. Even in the lackluster VF-24 of Haas, Hulkenberg continues to showcase his capabilities. Audi seems to be particularly proud of signing the German driver, who boasts over 200 starts in F1 and consistently delivers strong performances across various cars. The CEO of Audi’s F1 division expressed his excitement, describing Hulkenberg’s signing as a significant milestone for the team’s entry into Formula 1 in 2026.
The CEO further emphasized the alignment between himself and Hulkenberg regarding Audi’s F1 project, expressing confidence that the driver will contribute to the team’s development and improvement of the car in the coming years. Hulkenberg’s signing serves as a mere glimpse into Audi’s grand plans to establish their presence in F1, with their official entry under their own branding set for 2026.