Formula 2 is a very competitive championship that has launched the career of multiple F1 race winners including Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc.
The series is the final step on the road to F1, and success in FIA F2 is a good indicator of a driver’s ability to deliver at the highest level in Formula 1.
Oliver Bearman has surprisingly struggled during his second season in Formula 2 as he and his PREMA team haven’t adapted to the new car.
Neither he nor teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli have been able to put together a championship challenge, although they have taken two wins each.
Both Bearman and Antonelli are stepping up to F1 with Haas and Mercedes, despite lacklustre seasons in Formula 2.
Bearman in particular has lacked pace despite it being his second year, a disappointing campaign that Will Buxton is far from impressed with.
He said on the official Formula 1 YouTube channel that Bearman’s season with the PREMA team has been far from ideal.
Will Buxton believes Oliver Bearman’s Formula 2 campaign has been ‘shocking’
Bearman has endured a challenging second year in Formula 2, only scoring his first points of the season in the Feature Race in Australia, taking ninth place.
Another consistent run followed with multiple races outside the points before a brief upturn in form at the Red Bull Ring, winning the Sprint Race.
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The British driver’s lack of speed is a surprise after an impressive rookie season in 2023, taking four wins including a double victory in Azerbaijan.
Despite his lack of pace in F2, he has delivered when given the chance in Formula 1, scoring points in both his Grand Prix starts. Bearman may be a candidate to compete in the proposed F1 Sprint Race for rookies at the Abu Dhabi post-season test.
Buxton explained on Formula 1’s YouTube channel that Bearman’s year hasn’t been spectacular in F2, but he has driven well at the highest level. He said: “Ollie’s having a shocking season, but he steps into F1 and gets the job done.”
Oliver Bearman will move into a full-time Formula 1 seat very well prepared
Bearman will graduate into a full-time Formula 1 race seat with Haas alongside Frenchman Esteban Ocon in the 2025 season.
The British driver has already raced in two Formula 1 races this year and scored a point on his debut for Haas.
Bearman finished in 10th place in Azerbaijan, snatching the final point at the end of an impressive weekend on the streets of Baku.
The 19-year-old has also completed four outings in FP1 for Haas, gathering valuable information for himself and the full-time drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen.