Oliver Bearman's Formula 1 debut was a result of his impressive performance in a crucial race, which led to him signing with Haas F1 Team.
## What happened in Baku?
Oliver Bearman won both the sprint and feature races in Baku, a breakout weekend that showcased his skills.
He turned 18 in April 2023 and was gifted a Ferrari Roma by one of his sponsors.
## Why it matters for Oliver Bearman
The gift was a surprise, but Bearman's focus remained on his racing career, with his family making sacrifices to support him.
His father, David, stopped racing to fund Oliver's karting career, and the family competed in the UK due to financial constraints.
Oliver Bearman got his first used kart for Christmas in 2011, starting his racing story.
## What comes next for Oliver Bearman?
Bearman's big break came with a few hours' notice before his Formula 1 debut in Saudi Arabia, where he performed well despite limited experience.
He had only done two days in an F1 car before, but still managed to show 50% of what he's capable of, enough to secure a spot with Haas F1 Team.
On a Monday or Tuesday after the Austria weekend, Bearman received the news that he'd be a Haas race driver for 2025, a full season.
As of April 2023, Bearman was 18 years old and had already made a name for himself in the racing world.
He remembers watching his dad race his Porsche when he was five or six and fell in love with racing.
The Bearman family made sacrifices to keep the dream alive, knowing a second chance was unlikely.
Oliver Bearman was fast from the start in F4, F3, and again in F2, but even with that reputation, no one could have predicted how little notice he'd get before his Formula 1 debut.
And with his family's support, Bearman is ready to take on the challenges of Formula 1.
But it was the biggest opportunity of his life, and he was determined to make the most of it.
So he took the chance and performed well, despite being cautious at first.
The result was a 2025 contract with Haas F1 Team, a dream come true for the young athlete.