F1 2026: Oliver Bearman reveals how Ferrari and Haas coordinate on his development. Oliver Bearman eyes Ferrari future while maintaining Haas seat.

Oliver Bearman and his F1 future: the English driver aims to return to Ferrari

Oliver Bearman made his Formula 1 debut with Ferrari, though it remains his only race appearance in red. That occasion came in Saudi Arabia in 2024, when the current Haas driver replaced Carlos Sainz, who had undergone an appendectomy. Bearman has expressed his full intention to become an official Ferrari driver in the future.

In 2024, Bearman raced in Formula 2 with Prema alongside Andrea Kimi Antonelli. His season, and the team’s overall performance, did not go as planned. However, Bearman still had the opportunity to participate in three Formula 1 races that year—one with Ferrari and two with Haas. His performances in those races highlighted the talent of the young English driver, who concluded his first F1 season last year with the American team.

Bearman dreams of a future in Maranello

Despite his commitment to Haas, Bearman remains a part of Ferrari’s F1 driver program and has not hidden his desire to move to Maranello in the future. Contacts with the Italian team are frequent, and his performances at the end of last season certainly serve as an excellent calling card.

“My dream remains to drive for Ferrari in Formula 1. They have trusted me from the very first steps of my career. The dream is to wear a red suit again and return to that car,” he said during the High Performance podcast.

The English driver faced some difficulties in his first period in Formula 1. His relationship with Ferrari, including involvement from Ayao Komatsu, Haas Team Principal, was essential during this phase.

“The dialogue remains very open throughout the year and will continue as long as I am affiliated with Ferrari. I felt it was important to make clear the difficulties I was encountering with Haas. It was important because you see the results, but they do not tell the full story. Obviously, I was told what they [Ferrari] expected from me and where they wanted me to improve,” he added.

As the 2026 Formula 1 season officially gets underway, Oliver Bearman’s candid reflections highlight the unique pressure of being a Ferrari-backed driver in a satellite team. While his immediate focus remains on maximizing the Haas package, the shadow of Maranello clearly looms large over his career trajectory. If the Ferrari junior can continue to bridge the gap between his current results and Ferrari’s high expectations, he may well find himself trading his Haas colors for the famous red suit sooner than the paddock expects.