Bearman reveals 'crazy' outcome of inspirational Hamilton video

Oliver Bearman has revealed he received an inspirational video message from Lewis Hamilton several years ago, in which the seven-time world champion urged Bearman to keep pushing towards Formula 1.

Haas confirmed on Thursday morning ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix that it had signed the 19-year-old for 2025 on a multi-year deal.

Bearman's full-time promotion comes after he made his debut earlier this year at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, stepping in for an unwell Carlos Sainz at Ferrari.

His full-time confirmation on the F1 grid means he will share the track with Hamilton next year, who once issued a memo of encouragement to Bearman.

"I hope I'm against him, that means we did a good job," Bearman joked to  media including RacingNews365. 

"It's crazy! I was looking back, I received a video from him in 2015 or 2016, saying, 'keep pushing, hopefully you can make it to F1 one day', and here I am. 

"It's crazy to share the track with these guys who I've watched racing, even Fernando. It's something pretty special. 

"And it's a pinch yourself moment, because these guys are in my eyes huge stars and people that I look up to, and it's quite amazing that I'll share the circuit with them."

So just how did Bearman receive a personal video from Hamilton?

"I think he met one of my mother's friends or something like this," he revealed. "And she got him to make a video, and it was the most amazing day of my life. I just actually got reminded of it yesterday, I saw the video again. It was a funny moment."

Bearman reveals permanent F1 racing number

Following Haas' announcement of signing Bearman, the Briton has since confirmed what number he will be using for his debut season. 

It is the number the young driver has used throughout the career, with a personal meaning attached it.

"I'm going to use 87, that's confirmed," said Bearman. "I didn't get to choose my number in Jeddah. And first of all, even if I did that was the last of my words! 

"It's the number that I've raced since the beginning. It's a number that my dad raced because I'm born on the eighth of May, and my brother on the seventh of August. 

“So 87 was the number of choice and that will continue to be the case."