‘Voices in the paddock’ have raised doubt about Oliver Bearman ahead of 2025 Haas debut

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Several Formula 2 drivers have made the step up to Formula 1 this year, with some confirmed on the grid for 2025.

Franco Colapinto has caught all the attention recently after he was drafted in to replace Logan Sargeant at Williams for the remainder of the season. The Argentinian has been impressive in only three races so far, with Colapinto now being linked with the vacant Audi seat.

Another driver who has been called up to replace an outgoing F1 driver is Liam Lawson, who will replace Daniel Ricciardo at RB from the United States Grand Prix onwards with the prospect of landing a full-time seat in 2025.

Jack Doohan and Andrea Kimi Antonelli already have their seats confirmed for 2025, joining Alpine and Mercedes respectively. The former will replace Esteban Ocon – who is heading to Haas – while the latter will replace Lews Hamilton following his switch to Ferrari.

Antonelli’s PREMA teammate in F2 Oliver Bearman will also be getting his chance in F1 next year as he will link with Ocon at Haas, having already had a taste of the pinnacle of motorsport in 2024.

‘Voices in the paddock’ say Oliver Bearman would not have got to F1 if he was not given chances at Ferrari and Haas

The Brit made his F1 debut with Ferrari at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in place of the ill Carlos Sainz, finishing seventh.

After Haas’ Kevin Magnussen was suspended for the race at Baku after accumulating 12 penalty points, Bearman got the call to drive for his future team early. The 19-year-old recovered from a crash in practice to beat his teammate Nico Hulkenberg and finish 10th.

Fans were left stunned by Bearman’s performance at Baku as he became the first F1 driver in history to score points for two different teams in his first two appearances.

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

But despite these solid displays, it has been a torrid season in F2 for Bearman this year, as he sits in 15th place with two rounds to go, having desperately struggled for consistency.

Speaking on the ams.F1 YouTube channel, Joel Lischka revealed what some ‘voices in the paddock’ are saying about Bearman as he casts doubt over whether he would have made it to F1 for 2025 if the chances were not afforded to him this year.

“If we just stick to statistics and look at the Formula 2 results, that’s what we have. We have already done this several times,” he said.

“Table positions are not the only thing because Oliver Bearman is currently 15th in the drivers’ standings. There are voices in the paddock that say that if he hadn’t had those races [in Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan], he might not have been promoted to Formula 1 next year, so this series, Formula 2, is incredibly difficult to read.”

Is Formula 2 difficult to read given the drivers who have made it to F1?

It is true that F2 is becoming increasingly difficult to look at, considering that the top drivers are being overlooked for a seat in F1 compared to others further down the order.

F2 championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto is in conversation over a move to Sauber but it is not known at this stage whether he will get the seat. Isack Hadjar is waiting for an opportunity at Red Bull, with it being likely that he will replace Lawson as the team’s reserve driver following the Kiwi driver’s promotion.

While the top two struggle to find a seat, Antonelli, Colapinto and Bearman have all been given chances in F1. The interesting thing is they are sixth, seventh and 15th in the standings respectively heading into the next round in Qatar.

While it does seem to be the case that being a part of an academy holds more benefit to drivers than actually performing at the top in F2, those who have got the chance have shown that they have the potential to compete in F1.

The teams have faith in their selections, and many will be eager to see how they get on in a full season at the top.