Bearman sets goals for first full F1 season as 2024 left him ‘wanting more’

Ollie Bearman has set out his targets for his first full campaign in Formula 1, with the teenager admitting that he was left “wanting more” following his three substitute appearances during the 2024 season.

Bearman first caught the eye of many when he stepped in at short notice for an unwell Carlos Sainz at Ferrari for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, a weekend in which he scored his debut points with a P7 result.

The 19-year-old went on to race for Haas in Azerbaijan and Sao Paulo and is now preparing to make his full-time debut for the team in 2025. After the American outfit enjoyed an encouraging campaign en route to seventh in the Constructors’ Championship, Bearman is hopeful that both he and the squad can continue to grow.

“Haas had a great season last year,” Bearman told BBC Look East. “They were on a great trajectory, finishing T7 [in the team standings] at the end. That was really unexpected, but a fantastic result for the team.

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 01: Oliver Bearman of Great Britain driving the (38) Ferrari SF-24 on — Bearman was given a taste of what lies ahead when he raced for Haas in the 2024 Azerbaijan and Sao Paulo Grands Prix

“I hope we can continue that trajectory, but it’s tough to say, you know, we haven’t driven the car yet, and we don’t know where we stand compared to the other teams in terms of progress compared to last year.

«So I think my goals are really just looking at myself, looking within, I want to be proud of my performances, see a continuous growth and development though the year and that’s really what I’m focusing on.»

Reflecting back on his F1 appearances in 2024, Bearman admits that his races for Haas – which came after he had signed to squad for 2025 – were helpful in preparing for the year ahead.

“I had a taste of it last year, three races, which left me wanting more. And this year I get 24 shots, so I’m really looking forward to it,” the Briton said. “The first race with Ferrari, I was more nervous than anything. The most difficult day of my life to be thrown into an F1 car, particularly a red one.

“But to then get another two shots and actually be able to prepare for it, knowing that that would be the car I’m racing next year, which is this year now, was really nice and I was able to take it all in and learn a lot.

“It actually turned out that in every race I’ve done I’ve been fighting on track with Lewis [Hamilton] so that was really just a dream come true, to race against someone so famous and so talented as well, the best F1 driver we’ve ever had.”

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - MARCH 08: Oliver Bearman of Great Britain and Ferrari walks in the Paddock. — Bearman admits that he was «more nervous than anything» when he stepped in at Ferrari for the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Bearman has been busy with his preparations for the 24-race season over the winter break, which has included working on his physical fitness.

“I don’t think people quite understand how much goes on in the background; very busy schedules for us with the simulator work that we do, and physical training is really ramping up, I hope you see my neck is looking a bit bigger, but no, it’s really important,” the Haas driver explained.

“Since the beginning, [when] I was six, seven years old, doing 40-odd race weekends a year, now it’s down a bit but now I’m racing worldwide rather than just countrywide so it’s really [been] a big commitment from when I started.

«But I was willing to make it for my passion for the sport and I’m willing to continue and hopefully I have a long career ahead.»

Bearman will get behind the wheel of Haas’ 2025 F1 car for a filming day at the Bahrain International Circuit on February 24, two days before pre-season testing takes place at the track from February 26-28.