Jack Aitken suggests surprise Formula 1 team who could move for Oliver Bearman

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BBC Sport pundit Jack Aitken has suggested that you can’t count out Red Bull as a potential option for Oliver Bearman after his display in Saudi Arabia.

Oliver Bearman finished ahead of Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton despite his limited experience in the Ferrari.

Speaking on The Chequered Flag Podcast, Aitken suggested that there are often loopholes in young drivers’ contracts that can see them move teams.

Aitken suggests Red Bull could move for Bearman

There are plenty of young drivers who are on the cusp of reaching Formula 1 right now.

Previous Formula 2 champions Felipe Drugovich and Theo Pourchaire are currently reserve drivers at Aston Martin and Sauber respectively.

Even drivers like Mick Schumacher are still part of young driver academies despite having already raced in F1.

However, Oliver Bearman pushed himself close to the front of the queue of drivers waiting for a chance to drive in Formula 1 after a fantastic performance in Jeddah.

Aside from Liam Lawson after his five-race spell with AlphaTauri in 2023, he might be the most exciting prospect waiting in the wings.

So much so, that Jack Aitken wouldn’t be surprised if Red Bull were now looking at Bearman.

Max Verstappen has been recently been linked with Mercedes given the unrest within the team.

Sergio Perez has also entered the final year of his contract but has started the campaign with back-to-back second places.

Bearman already earning plaudits from other F1 teams

Speaking about Bearman’s future, Aitken said: “I think it depends a little bit on the specific academy that you’re a part of but having been a part of a couple, first with Renault and then with Williams, there are sometimes opportunities, get out of the contract is perhaps not the right language, but there are doors left open to perhaps go to other teams.

“We’ve spoken about Haas being a possible destination for him and I think it would make a lot of sense with the Ferrari backing and Haas having done that in the past with academy drivers.

“There are chances that other teams are going to see that performance from him this weekend and start sniffing around and if there are any holes in that contract, maybe.

“Never discount Red Bull. I mean they wouldn’t let it happen but contracts aren’t always watertight or they can be broken and Red Bull have gone after other juniors in the past.”

It would be a surprise if Aitken’s suggestion came to fruition and Red Bull made a move for Bearman.

Particularly with Liam Lawson waiting in the wings should any of their quartet of drivers fall beyond the standards expected of them.

Haas appears to be a much more likely destination for Bearman should he break into F1 next season.

His route to a permanent drive with Ferrari has been blocked by the arrival of a certain seven-time world champion in the form of Lewis Hamilton…