Why Guenther Steiner finds Oliver Bearman Haas move ‘a little bit weird’

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Oliver Bearman is the first confirmed rookie on the 2025 Formula 1 grid after signing a deal with Haas. The move looked increasingly inevitable as the season wore on.

Even last year, it was clear that Haas had earmarked Bearman as a future option. Their relationship with Ferrari, who manage the teenager, put him on their radar.

After he drove in two FP1 sessions at the back end of last year, Haas agreed to give him six more outings in 2024. That’s an exceptionally high number for a young driver, with Bearman given the opportunity to feature in a quarter of the season’s Grand Prix weekends.

But in truth, he didn’t seal his graduation by impressing behind the wheel of the VF-24, or his Formula 2 challenger. It was his stand-in showing for Ferrari at the Saudi Arabian GP that really made him a shoo-in.

After Carlos Sainz attracted appendicitis, the Scuderia turned to their academy driver. He couldn’t make it into Q3, but he finished a commendable seventh in the race.

Bearman came under pressure from Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton, two of the highest-rated drivers on the F1 grid, in his final stint but kept his composure. It was the best result for a debutant since 2015 – enough to earn the driver of the day award.

Guenther Steiner admits concerns about Oliver Bearman F2 form

Speaking on the Red Flags podcast, former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner offered his reaction to the signing. He revealed that the team have long had plans to promote him for 2025 ‘if he did a good job’.

However, he agreed that it was slightly ‘weird’ that he’d bagged an F1 seat off the back of a disappointing F2 campaign. Ahead of this weekend’s races in Hungary, he sits 13th in the championship.

Bearman finally bagged his first win of the season in Austria earlier this month, but he remains 25 points and five places behind teammate Kimi Antonelli. It’s worth noting that he did qualify on pole in Jeddah before the Ferrari call came.

What’s more, Prema have generally been struggling to adapt to the new specification in F2. That’s why two of the most promising drivers on the grid are languishing in the midfield.

“I think it’s very good,” Steiner said of the move. “I mean, the discussion started already last year when I was still there. Last year, he did two FP1s.

“The plan was to do six FP1s this year. [That] was decided last year and then if he did a good job, [he’d be] going to the race seat in 25.

“It is a little bit weird [that he got a seat despite underwhelming F2 form] when you look from outside. You’re right to say that, but it’s the same with Kimi Antonelli, the Mercedes [driver], they’re on the same team.”

Oliver Bearman on the advantage he has over Esteban Ocon at Haas

There was more driver news from Haas on Thursday as they confirmed that Kevin Magnussen would be leaving at the end of the season. Steiner signed Magnussen twice during his time with the team, first in 2017 and then again in 2022.

Esteban Ocon is expected to partner Bearman, with confirmation imminent. The Frenchman is leaving Alpine at the end of the season.

Ocon will likely take on a team leader role with the Banbury outfit as a veteran of 145 Grands Prix and a race-winner. Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur wanted Haas to sign a driver who could mentor Bearman, and he may have got his wish.

Equally, the Briton will know that it would be a statement to beat Ocon from time to time in his rookie year. He’ll want to show that he’s future world champion material.

During his media duties in Budapest (Motorsport-Total), Bearman said his considerable experience in the Haas cockpit will stand him in good stead. His ‘teammate won’t have that’, he adds, which could give him a slight edge.