Formula 2 star makes ‘difficult’ admission about Oliver Bearman’s 2024 form

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Oliver Bearman is the first confirmed rookie on the 2025 Formula 1 grid after signing a full-time deal with Haas. Bearman won universal acclaim for his stand-in performance for Ferrari at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in March.

Called up to replace an unwell Carlos Sainz, the Englishman only had one practice session to get to grips with the SF-24. Having narrowly missed out on Q3, he finished a highly impressive P7 in the race, ahead of Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton.

Bearman has also been completing an FP1 programme for Haas, with six sessions pencilled in over the course of the year. Gene Haas and Ayao Komatsu were sufficiently impressed by what they saw from Bearman in Jeddah, and his practice outings, to offer him a seat.

Based solely on his recent F2 performances, he likely wouldn’t have been in contention. Bearman enters the summer break down in 15th in the championship, far below what was expected.

There are mitigating circumstances. Prema have struggled to tame the new generation of cars, which is partly why teammate and Mercedes junior Kimi Antonelli also made a slow start before wins in Great Britain and Hungary.

Bearman also has a victory to his name, having triumphed in the Austria Sprint, and he may have had another if he’d been able to race from pole in Saudi Arabia. But for the most part, it’s been a struggle.

Paul Aron says Oliver Bearman has had a ‘difficult’ season

Speaking on the Autosport podcast, Bearman’s F2 rival Paul Aron reflected on his promotion to F1. Aron, who’s third in the championship, lost his place in the Mercedes driver programme at the end of last year.

He believes that the F1 grid remembers Bearman’s performances in his first year of F2, rather than dwelling too much on his ‘difficult’ 2024. He finished an impressive sixth in last season’s standings, having racked up two poles, four wins and six podiums.

So while Haas’ decision may not seem entirely meritocratic going off 2024 F2 results alone, Aron still believes it’s justified. Unfortunately for the Estonian and some of his competitors, though, the top talents in the second tier often miss out on an F1 seat.

“Formula 2 – that’s what it’s for,” he said. “If you’re young and you’re performing well you should get into Formula 1 and you should get a chance to go there.

“That’s in the end why Ollie has got his chance. He’s having a difficult year this year but he’s managed to do the job last year in his rookie year to perform and to impress the Formula 1 grid enough.”

Could Paul Aron be in line for Alpine seat under Oliver Oakes?

Remaining in the Mercedes driver academy would have opened multiple doors for Aron. For instance, their engine deal with Williams could have put him on the radar of James Vowles.

But now he has to operate outside of that framework, actively contacting F1 teams to state his case rather than relying on a big name to manage his career. However, one recent development could play into his hands.

Oliver Oakes, the former boss of Aron’s Hitech team, has taken over from Bruno Famin at Alpine. Oakes is more aware than most of the talent the 20-year-old possesses.

As such, Aron could now be a contender for an Alpine drive. While Jack Doohan, a former Hitech team member himself in F3, appears to be the favourite, the appointment of Oakes at least offers some hope.

Elsewhere, championship Isack Hadjar is in contention for an RB seat. And second-place Gabriel Bortoleto is emerging as a contender for Audi, even though he’s a member of the McLaren set-up.