Oliver Bearman explains why he’s made more mistakes in F2 than Formula 1 this season

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Oliver Bearman will make his full-time Formula 1 debut in 2025 with Haas after impressing on various outings this year as a super sub.

His most recent came at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix when he was given a late call-up by Haas to replace the ill Kevin Magnussen.

Initially, it looked like he would only take part in the Sprint race before handing it back to Magnussen, but the Briton would get another chance to impress in a race when Haas decided to keep him in the car for the rest of the weekend.

Sadly it was a difficult race for the Briton, having struggled in the wet conditions on the newly resurfaced Interlagos. At one stage Bearman could be heard over team radio complaining about the visibility and pleading with the FIA to stop the race.

While it was not the best outing for him given the conditions, his other points-scoring drives with Ferrari in Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan better reflected his ability behind the wheel.

Given his lacklustre season in F2 this year, Bearman has explained why he is more suited to driving in F1 than the spec-series when speaking on the Pirelli Box Box Box podcast.

Oliver Bearman explains why he is ‘more suited’ to Formula 1 cars

Bearman’s year in F2 has been marred by inconsistencies, largely due to Prema struggling early on to hit the ground running with the new chassis.

His first win of the season did not come until the Red Bull Ring midway through the season, while he suffered back-to-back retirements in the Austria feature race and Silverstone sprint race.

The Briton has explained why he thinks his outings in F1 have been more successful, despite there being more pressure to perform at teams like Ferrari.

“The way I drive is a bit more suited to that car. The way I tend to attack and make up time is rewarded in F1, whereas I’m more likely to make mistakes in F2 judging by how it’s been going,” said Bearman.

“I’m just not 100% natural in F2, even when I’m performing I don’t feel fully confident. Whereas in F1 when I have a good feeling with the car I feel really good and at home.”

Damon Hill warns Oliver Bearman that F1 won’t always be ‘perfect honeymoon’

In an unbroadcast radio message, Bearman told his team that he was ‘so disappointed’ during Sprint qualifying in Brazil.

Damon Hill earned Bearman that he should not be ‘too hard’ on himself and to realise that he won’t always be ‘perfect’ in F1.

READ MORE: Who is 2025 Haas driver and Ferrari gem Oliver Bearman? Everything to know

One Ferrari colleague criticised Bearman after he collided with Alex Albon during an FP1 outing in Mexico, however, it was accepted by the stewards that neither driver was to blame.

Bearman’s three outings this season between Ferrari and Haas means that he is no longer eligible for the Abu Dhabi post-season rookie test.