Bearman details crucial element for F1 team-mate decision

Oliver Bearman has revealed he is keen to have an experienced team-mate alongside him at Haas for next season.

Bearman will join Haas in a full-time capacity next year, however the identity of his partner has not yet been confirmed.

Nico Hulkenberg, who has over 200 grands prix to his name, will depart the US-owned outfit and join Stake ahead of its transition to Audi in 2026.

Several competitors have been linked to the Haas drive, including its current driver Kevin Magnussen.

However, RacingNews365 understands that the out-going Alpine driver Esteban Ocon is the favourite to partner Bearman. 

When asked who he would ideally like as a team-mate, Bearman replied: “That's a tough question, it's not really up to me first of all. 

“Of course, in a team-mate, I'm looking for someone with experience and speed, someone to learn from. 

“I think both of them [Magnussen and Ocon] have that trait. To be in F1, you need to have those traits.”

Saudi Arabian F1 debut was 'stars aligning'

Bearman is ramping up his experience with the Haas team this year, taking part in several FP1 sessions ahead of his full-time transition.

The Briton has already made his grand prix debut, stepping in for an unwell Carlos Sainz at Ferrari in Saudi Arabia earlier this year.

Amid his difficult campaign in Formula 2, Bearman admits his promotion to F1 with Haas would have been much more challenging without his debut in Jeddah.

“I think the Saudi performance was really the stars aligning moment that made my step into F1 possible,” Bearman said.

“I think without that, it would really have been difficult, especially with how it's going at the moment.

“So that really helped me, and also for my own confidence because you never really know how you're going to perform until you race against real F1 drivers. 

“That was my opportunity and I feel like I did a decent job.”