As the Formula 1 circus rolls into the Jeddah Corniche Circuit for the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Haas driver Ollie Bearman is experiencing a wave of nostalgia and pride. Exactly one year ago, the 19-year-old Briton made a sensational debut at this very track, stepping in for Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who was sidelined by an emergency appendectomy. Now, as a full-time F1 driver with Haas, Bearman describes his return to Jeddah as a deeply personal milestone, with the circuit holding “a special place in my heart.”
Bearman’s debut in 2024 was nothing short of remarkable. With just one practice session to adapt to Ferrari’s SF-24, the then-18-year-old qualified 11th and went on to finish an impressive seventh, fending off seasoned drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris despite their fresher tires. “That was a crazy weekend,” Bearman recalled ahead of this weekend’s race. “Physically, it was tough, but to come back now, stronger and with more experience, feels special.”
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit, known for its high-speed corners and unforgiving walls, provided the backdrop for Bearman’s meteoric introduction to F1. “Having my debut with Ferrari at this track was a highlight of my life so far,” he said, noting the emotional weight of returning to the scene of his breakthrough. “It’s the first repeat race of my career, which is pretty cool.”
Since that whirlwind weekend, Bearman’s career has skyrocketed. After his standout performance in Jeddah, he made two additional substitute appearances for Haas in 2024, racing in Azerbaijan and São Paulo. These outings, combined with his Ferrari debut, convinced Haas to sign him as a full-time driver for 2025 alongside Esteban Ocon. His journey from Ferrari reserve to Haas race seat is a testament to his talent and composure under pressure.
Reflecting on how his life has changed since last year, Bearman admitted, “A lot has changed.” Now a Monaco resident with 2.4 million Instagram followers, the teenager is navigating the demands of F1 fame while striving to maintain a sense of normalcy. “I’m still learning, still growing,” he said. “But having raced here before gives me confidence. I love the high-speed nature of Jeddah—it’s a thrill driving between those walls.”
Bearman’s 2025 season has already shown promise. Despite a challenging start, including a crash in practice at the Australian Grand Prix, he has scored points in three of the first four races, including a gritty recovery drive in Bahrain to claim 10th. Haas, buoyed by a double-points finish in Bahrain, currently sits fifth in the Constructors’ Championship, and Bearman is optimistic about the team’s prospects in Jeddah. “We’ve got momentum,” he said. “I didn’t expect much in Suzuka but scored points, so who knows what’s possible here.”
Team principal Ayao Komatsu highlighted the advantage of Bearman’s prior experience at Jeddah, noting it’s one of the few circuits where the rookie has F1 racing experience. “Ollie showed last year he can handle this track,” Komatsu said. “We’re hoping he can build on that and help us keep pushing forward.”