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ayao komatsu says ollie bearman fits the Haas criteria for a 2025 seat

Has Bearman secured a seat at Haas? Did the Haas team boss misspeak?

7 June at 21:09
Last update 7 June at 21:51
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  • Olly Darcy
  • Editor

Has Ayao Komatsu just let it slip that Oliver Bearman will drive for Haas in 2025? The Haas team boss may have just misspoken as he stated he will have a mix of youth and experience in 2025. It's an explanation that would suggest the young British driver has secured a drive at the Formula 1 team next season.

When news broke that Nico Hulkenberg would be leaving Haas at the end of the 2024 season to join Sauber for 2025, and then Audi in 2026, rumours were circling regarding who would take that seat next year. But now, team boss Ayao Komatsu has come out and said that the American team are having an exciting combination next season.

Komatsu: 'Mixture of youth and experience would be exciting'

After filling in for Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, it was a fantastic debut for Bearman, with the current F2 driver acquitting himself superbly at his first opportunity, finishing in P7 and ahead of Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton. 

As Ferrari's reserve driver, and with an open seat at Haas, many believed that Bearman was the favourite for that seat, especially after his performance in Jeddah. Haas team principal Komatsu hinted that this could be a great possibility, speaking in the constructors' press conference at the Canadian Grand Prix on Friday.

"As a team, we are growing up. We are improving the team, so it's a pretty dynamic situation, and I think the mixture of good youth and then experience to give us the reference would be a pretty exciting combination," said the Japanese team boss, highlighting Haas' intentions for their driver lineup for 2025. He went on to confirm when news will be confirmed: "Not immediatly but not too far. Within a couple of weeks to months."

Bearman will continue to get chances throughout the season in FP1 to prove his worth. He will drive for both Haas and Ferrari in FP1s across the remainder of the 2024 Formula 1 season. Bearman's 2025 is yet to be sorted, but it seems like the Haas boss has given his biggest hint yet that the young Brit will make it to F1.