British hopeful claims he is 'ready' for F1 seat chance

Formula 2 star Oliver Bearman has signalled that he would be ready to race in Formula 1 if handed the opportunity.

Bearman is currently part of the Ferrari Driver Academy and took part in two free practice sessions with Haas in Mexico and Abu Dhabi last year.

He also enjoyed a successful rookie season in the Formula 2 championship, scoring three pole positions and four race victories en route to sixth place in the Drivers' standings.

Bearman will return to the F2 series next year with Prema, partnering Mercedes F1 junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

However, the Briton also has an eye on F1 as he looks to take on a full-time seat from the 2025 campaign.

Should an opportunity arise to race in the category, Bearman asserted that he would be prepared to step into the seat.

“I know I’d be ready to go,” Bearman told media including RacingNews365.

“I know I have what it takes, but of course preparation would be important and, first of all, I’d have to do a good job in F2 – that’s step one.

“But I have no doubt that if I get a call-up, I’m ready to go.”

Bearman also received praise from Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner following his FP1 performances behind the wheel of the VF-23.

“Pretty good. I mean, he makes it a good job. He stayed very calm and very mature for an 18-year-old,” Steiner said.

“He did a good job in the car as well. Confident [but] not overconfident, it's a fine line, always. It was a nice surprise, a positive surprise.”