KANNAPOLIS, North Carolina (AP) — Oliver Bearman has been signed on a multiyear deal by the Haas Formula 1 team from 2025 onward.
Haas announced the signing in a statement Thursday, without giving more details. The 19-year old British driver will take the seat vacated by German driver Nico Hulkenberg, who is joining Sauber at the end of the year ahead of its rebranding to Audi for 2026.
“It’s hard to put into words just how much this means to me. To say out loud that I will be a Formula 1 driver for (the) Haas F1 Team makes me so immensely proud," Bearman said. "To be one of the very few people who get to do the thing what they dreamed of as a child is something truly incredible."
Bearman impressed with a stunning seventh-place finish at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in March, when he stood in for Carlos Sainz Jr. He got the unexpected F1 debut after Sainz was diagnosed with appendicitis and needed an operation.
Bearman, who was 18 at the time, became the third-youngest driver in F1. He had only had two practice sessions with Haas — in 2023 — yet produced a commanding drive on a tricky circuit that was way beyond his limited experience.
He is currently competing in the F2 championship and is a reserve driver for both Ferrari and Haas — which uses a Ferrari engine. He won the Austrian GP sprint race last weekend driving for Prema Racing in F2.
Bearman signed for the prestigious Ferrari academy in 2021 after being earmarked as a rising star.
“I wouldn’t be here without you,” he told Ferrari. "Thank you for preparing me since F4 for this incredible opportunity and know I will give it everything I have.”
Haas team owner Gene Haas has high hopes for Bearman.
“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,” Haas said. "I’m personally excited to see how he grows as a driver, and we look forward to seeing him deliver for (the) Haas F1 Team next season and beyond.”
Bearman's promotion means there will be four British drivers on the F1 grid next year, with Lewis Hamilton (who is joining Ferrari ), George Russell (Mercedes) and Lando Norris (McLaren) the others.
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
FILE - Ferrari reserve driver Oliver Bearman of Britain is interviewed outside his team garage ahead of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, March 21, 2024. Haas announced the signing in a statement Thursday, July 4, without giving more details. The 19-year old British driver will take the seat vacated by German driver Nico Hulkenberg, who is joining Sauber at the end of the year ahead of its rebranding to Audi for 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, File)
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Jhon Córdoba, James Rodríguez and Luis Díaz scored goals during a dominant first half to spark Colombia to a 5-0 win over Panama in the quarterfinals of the Copa America on Saturday.
Colombia — which came into Saturday on a 26-match unbeaten streak — wasted little time on No. 27 when Córdoba's well-placed header in the eighth minute found the bottom corner of the net following a corner kick from Rodríguez.
Los Cafeteros pushed ahead 2-0 less than 10 minutes later on Rodríguez's powerful penalty kick. Colombia was awarded the penalty after Panama goalie Orlando Mosquera tripped up Colombia's Jhon Arias, who was sprinting to save the ball from going out of bounds near the post.
It was the 32-year-old Rodríguez's 28th goal in international play.
Colombia made it 3-0 in the 41st minute when Díaz lobbed a shot over Mosquera, who had charged forward during the breakaway. The goal was set up by another good pass from Rodríguez.
Panama had a few decent chances to score in the first half, including a shot that bounced off the post before being swatted out of danger by Colombia goalie Camilo Vargas. But Los Canaleros could not make a dent in the lead.
Colombia scored its fourth goal in the 70th minute when Richard Ríos blasted a long right-footed shot past Mosquera into the bottom left corner of the net. The final goal came in stoppage time when Miguel Borja converted a penalty kick.
Colombia will play in the semifinals on Wednesday in Charlotte, North Carolina, against the winner of Uruguay-Brazil on Saturday.
The heavily-favored Colombians enjoyed a huge home field advantage in front of announced crowd of 39,740 at State Farm Stadium, with most fans donning the team's bright yellow jerseys. The stadium's retractable roof was closed because of temperatures that hovered around 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 Celsius) outside.
Panama's unexpected run to the quarterfinals included a 2-1 win over the United States during group play.
AP Copa America coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/copa-america
Colombia's Richard Rios chases Panama's Cristian Martínez during a Copa America quarterfinal soccer match in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ross Franklin)
Colombia's Luis Diaz, bottom, is congratulated by James Rodriguez after scoring his side's 3rd goal against Panama during a Copa America quarterfinal soccer match in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Colombia's Daniel Munoz, left, and Panama's Edgar Barcenas vie for the ball during a Copa America quarterfinal soccer match in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ross Franklin)
Colombia's Luis Diaz celebrates scoring his side's 3rd goal against Panama during a Copa America quarterfinal soccer match in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Colombia's James Rodriguez scores his side's 2nd goal from the penalty spot against Panama during a Copa America quarterfinal soccer match in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Panama's Cristian Martínez reacts after James Rodriguez scored from the penalty spot Colombia's second goal during a Copa America quarterfinal soccer match in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ross Franklin)
Colombia's Jhon Cordoba, center, celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against Panama during a Copa America quarterfinal soccer match in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Colombia's James Rodriguez celebrates scoring his side's 2nd goal from the penalty spot against Panama during a Copa America quarterfinal soccer match in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
