Oliver Bearman is set to become the latest Brit to join the Formula 1 grid in 2025.
The 19-year-old will make the move to Haas next season alongside Esteban Ocon in what is, at the time of writing, the only completely different confirmed driver line-up in F1 for the 2025 campaign.
Bearman is currently competing in Formula 2 with PREMA and has already had an outing in F1 this season, as he stepped in for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari in Jeddah, where he finished an impressive seventh.
For the next round at Baku, Bearman will be back in an F1 car as he makes an early debut for Haas, replacing the suspended Kevin Magnussen.
Speaking on the F1 Show after his first Friday sessions in F1, Bearman shared what it is like going back to F2 after driving in F1.
Oliver Bearman explains going back to Formula 1 after Formula 1 outings is ‘part of the process’
The Brit has endured a difficult season in F2 this year as he sits 14th in the standings before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
READ MORE: How Oliver Bearman and Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s F2 rivals feel amid F1 opportunities
Despite winning two Sprint Races so far in Austria and Italy, Bearman has only finished in the points seven times.
Driving an F2 car compared to an F1 car is obviously incredibly different due to the latter being more technologically advanced and faster, but it is no doubt exciting for Bearman given that he will make the step up permanently next year.
And the Brit explained what it is like going back and forth between the two categories as he aims to finish the F2 season.
He said: “Yeah I know, every time I drive the F1 I’m like: ‘they’re pulling me away, I don’t want to let go.’
“But no, it’s part of the process. I’m finishing the season in F2. I actually would have liked to drive here in F2, because last year went really well and I would have liked to repeat that because the team have a good car around here.”
Several Formula 3 drivers will make the step up to Formula 2 at Baku
With Bearman moving up to F1 for the weekend, PREMA have brought in Gabriele Mini to replace the Brit in Baku.
The Italian was the runner-up in the Formula 3 championship this season behind Leonardo Fornaroli, and he will get his chance to race in F2 ahead of a possible full-time seat.
Mini will not be the only driver change to happen in Baku. Luke Browning will replace Zak O’Sullivan at ART Grand Prix for the remainder of the season after the latter was forced to pull out of the campaign due to a funding issue.
Trident have opted to part ways with Roman Stanek, with Christian Mansell stepping in for the rest of the season. The Aussie finished fifth in the F3 championship in 2024 with five podiums.