Martin Brundle judges whether F1 rookie Oliver Bearman is ready for a Ferrari seat

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Oliver Bearman delivered the best performance of his rookie F1 season so far at the Mexican Grand Prix last weekend. Bearman finished fourth, even flirting with Haas’ first podium.

He reached Q3 for a third consecutive race and gained five places from his starting spot. The chaos triggered by Max Verstappen’s early battle with Lewis Hamilton no doubt helped him, but being a midfield driver is about taking opportunities.

Bearman overtook Verstappen in perhaps his finest moment to date, then held off the world champion comfortably before Red Bull strategically outmanoeuvred minnows Haas. Oscar Piastri put him under intense pressure in the final stint, but he masterfully held on.

Ferrari congratulated Bearman on social media, while team principal Fred Vasseur also applauded him in his media commitments. The 20-year-old is part of the Scuderia’s academy.

Martin Brundle explains why Oliver Bearman is already F1 material

Speaking on the F1 Show, Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle commended Bearman’s ‘absolutely outstanding’ drive. He has no doubt that the Englishman is Ferrari material, even at this stage of his career.

When Bearman was called up to replace an unwell Carlos Sainz in Saudi Arabia last year, he stunned the paddock by finishing seventh. That suggests he’d ‘grab’ a permanent opportunity at Ferrari with both hands.

Lewis Hamilton is out of contract at the end of 2026, and teammate Charles Leclerc is also considering his future even though his deal is longer-term.

“Absolutely outstanding,” said Brundle. “If you give that man an opportunity, he’ll grab it, like he did in Saudi Arabia with the Ferrari drive.

“He kept his head under a lot of pressure, especially in the closing stages with Oscar Piastri’s McLaren behind him. He put a move on Max, made it stick, didn’t go four wheels off the road – just.

“The moment that there’s a seat at Ferrari, for whatever reason, then Bearman should be in it, as far as I’m concerned. I think he’s outstanding and he’s learning fast and he’s making the most [of his opportunities].”

Ferrari are unlikely to renew Lewis Hamilton’s F1 contract

If Ferrari elect to keep Hamilton, then there’s unlikely to be a vacancy for Bearman unless Leclerc takes drastic action.

However, ‘several senior figures’ in the paddock have said that Ferrari won’t offer Hamilton a new deal, having been disappointed by his performances this year. Only a 2026 revival at the age of 41 could change that.

Ferrari have also been linked with Oscar Piastri and even Verstappen, but in Bearman, they may have a driver with championship-winning potential already at their disposal. Promoting him would be far more straightforward.

Hamilton called Bearman’s performance ‘mega’ – not the first time he’s praised his compatriot. But in just over a year’s time, he could be handing over his seat to Britain’s next superstar.