Martin Brundle urges Oliver Bearman to consider ‘Plan B’ amid Ferrari uncertainty

Bearman’s Ferrari path faces a new complication

Oliver Bearman’s rise through Formula 1 has made him an obvious candidate for a future Ferrari promotion. However, Martin Brundle believes the British driver should begin considering alternatives as the Scuderia’s current line-up appears increasingly settled.

Bearman made his Formula 1 debut at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, stepping in for Carlos Sainz after the Spaniard was diagnosed with appendicitis during the race weekend. He finished seventh, an immediate statement that helped earn him a full-time drive with Ferrari customer team Haas.

Now in his second full-time season, the 21-year-old has continued to strengthen his reputation. He has consistently outpaced his more experienced Haas team-mate Esteban Ocon in the VF-26, reinforcing the view that he belongs on the radar of the sport’s leading teams.

Ferrari, though, may not have an opening in the near future. Lewis Hamilton is chasing titles again and sits second in the drivers’ standings heading into the summer break, with five podiums and a race win already secured. Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, also appears committed to the Maranello-based team in the mid-term.

As Ferrari’s development continues to attract attention, including through its SF-26 upgrade strategy, Brundle believes Bearman cannot afford to wait indefinitely for a seat that may not become available soon.

“Haas is a brilliantly credible team on the F1 grid, I wouldn’t want to underplay what they’re doing, and we’d miss them massively,” Brundle said.

“Ollie Bearman might need a Plan B because obviously Lewis and Charles are nailed on at Ferrari for a little while.”

Haas future also remains unclear

Bearman’s immediate future at Haas is not fully settled either. The team has yet to fix its driver line-up for next season, while Brundle suggested that Ocon’s position could be vulnerable after Bearman’s strong performances.

Asked whether Haas would retain Bearman and Ocon for 2027, Brundle replied: “No, I don’t, to answer your question. I do believe they’re also looking at some other young drivers.”

He added that Bearman had been viewed as Ferrari’s “future star” and “heir apparent”, but that the delay to his expected progression could force the driver to take control of his own career.

“They’ve got some other fast kids coming along,” Brundle concluded. “So I don’t know where he goes from here.”

With Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull also described as uncertain, Bearman has been linked with a possible move to Milton Keynes. For now, Brundle’s message is clear: Ferrari may remain the ambition, but Bearman should keep another route open.