Haas boss Komatsu convinced Bearman that he was a future Ferrari F1 driver

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has little doubt that Oliver Bearman will likely be a future Formula 1 driver for Ferrari.

The Italian team began working with Lewis Hamilton this week, but fellow Briton Bearman, who is an element of the team's driver program, also starts the season as a full-time F1 driver.

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Bearman was loaned to Haas after a string of impressive performances during his first training session for the Banbury-based team in 2023 and 2024.

Bearman also replaced the stricken Carlos Sainz, who drove for Ferrari on the 2024 Saudi GP while the Spaniard had appendicitis.

He defied expectations that the SF-24 would finish seventh by winning plaudits, but Komatsu said he had never doubted the Bearman since his debut for Haas when he rode in first practice on the 2023 Mexican GP.

Asked by Motorsport.com if he sees Bearman as a future Ferrari driver, Komatsu replied: “Yes. He's a Ferrari driver and we have now him for 2 years – plus an option for an extra one – but when we do a very good job and if Ollie does a very good job, Ferrari can't ignore it.

“It's funny that Ollie is a debutant because I don't treat him like a debutant in that sense because we pay quite a lot of attention to what he has to say.

Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Mark Slade, Race Engineer, Haas F1 Team

Photo: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

“Of course, he has quite a lot of experience in Ferrari education, simulators, etc. He drove our automotive – VF-23 and VF-24.

“Every time he gets within the automotive, his reactions are perfect. The approach is ideal, the speed is great.

“You saw in Baku and Interlagos that he overqualified in both qualifying sessions [former Haas driver] Nico [Hulkenberg]which was our reference point.”

Komatsu made it clear that he was impressed with Bearman's opinion and attitude, shelving his own attempts to point out his speed by working on the team's programs during his first practice outings.

The Haas team principal is now looking forward to seeing the 19-year-old progress in his F1 profession and can meet with Ferrari to debate how he’ll monitor his development.

Komatsu added: “I’m sure Ferrari needs regular feedback. I’ll actually be meeting with them in the primary week of February, so I’ll find a way to know exactly what type of feedback they’re in search of.

“But I might also like to offer them some feedback as they’ve been a key a part of his profession in order that they know Ollie higher than we do, so any help we are able to get from that side would even be helpful.

“I would like to work closely with the guy who dealt with Ollie.”

Photos from Ferrari tests in Fiorano