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Ferrari supersub Oliver Bearman to join Haas for 2025 F1 season

Teenager Oliver Bearman, who made his F1 debut for Ferrari at this year's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, will race for Haas in 2025 and beyond.

Bearman has signed a multiyear deal with the American team after completing a handful of practice sessions this season.

The Brit, who joined Ferrari's driver programme in 2021 and was made the Italian team's reserve driver for 2024, made an unlikely F1 debut in place of Carlos Sainz in Jeddah this April when the Spaniard contracted appendicitis. Bearman finished seventh in the race.

At 18 years and 305 days old, he became the third-youngest driver to start an F1 race.

Bearman, now 19, has been widely expected to fill one of Haas' two driver spots for next year, and the signing was confirmed ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix.

Speaking at Silverstone after the news was announced, Bearman confirmed he has chosen 87 as the number to carry on his car. Under F1 rules, drivers keep the same number throughout their careers, although they can switch to No. 1 if they are the defending world champion

Team owner Gene Haas said: "I'm pleased we've been able to give Oliver Bearman this opportunity to drive full-time in Formula 1 -- he's undoubtedly an exciting rookie prospect, not just based on what he showed in Saudi Arabia but also through his time developing his relationship with our team.

"I'm personally excited to see how he grows as a driver, and we look forward to seeing him deliver for MoneyGram Haas F1 Team next season and beyond.

"This is an exciting time for the team. Oliver's signing shows we continue to invest in talent -- both on- and off-track -- as we continue to compete at the highest level."

Bearman thanked Haas for the opportunity.

"It's hard to put into words just how much this means to me," he said. "To say out loud that I will be a Formula 1 driver for MoneyGram Haas F1 Team makes me so immensely proud. To be one of the very few people who get to do the thing that they dreamed of as a child is something truly incredible. To Gene, Ayao and everyone at Haas, thank you for believing in me and for trusting me to represent your team."

The identity of Bearman's 2025 teammate is still unknown. Existing Haas driver Nico Hülkenberg has signed a deal to move to the Audi project at Sauber next season, and the future of Kevin Magnussen is uncertain.

Sources have told ESPN that Haas have made outgoing Alpine driver Esteban Ocon their priority for the other seat. Ocon's decision has been stalled by Sainz's own delay as he ponders Williams, Audi and Alpine.