Sky Sports’ Formula 1 commentator, David Croft, has reported that Red Bull is “keeping close tabs on Ollie Bearman,” amid ongoing speculation that Max Verstappen is set to exit the team.
The Milton Keynes-based squad has been under siege with a slew of reports that has suggested that the four-time World Champion is readying himself to vacate his seat, one which he has held since 2016.
Verstappen has gone on to become the team’s joint-most successful driver in the team’s history, matching previous champion Sebastian Vettel’s haul of four Drivers’ titles.
The Dutchman’s all-or-nothing style of driving, as well as wet-weather nous and intricate interpretation of the rules, has rendered him a polarising figure, but also widely-regarded as one of the sport’s modern greats.
A tough start to the 2026 season, however, has placed the onus on Red Bull to produce the goods for Verstappen, who is still without a win after nine races.
And further issues have also arisen, with friend and race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase set to join McLaren “no later than 2028”.
After a summer of constant speculation last year regarding a potential switch to Mercedes, this summer has seen the touted destination shift to McLaren, after a bombshell report over the Austrian Grand Prix weekend that he had held secret talks with the team.
Motorsport Week and other outlets have reported that these talks have escalated significantly, with McLaren thought to be in a position where it could offer Verstappen a contract, with money not being an issue.
This leaves Red Bull without its leading on-track talisman, and it is thought that if Verstappen were to join the Woking-based team, Oscar Piastri would be the driver to make way, and would likely complete a swap deal, going in the opposite direction to join Isack Hadjar.
Ollie Bearman – a Max Verstappen replacement?
However, if this potential eventuality hadn’t already thrown a spanner in the works for Piastri, there could be a second plot twist, in which he comes out worse off still.
According to Croft, Bearman is very much on Red Bull’s radar, and cited Team Principal Laurent Mekies’ previous roles at Ferrari as a potential link.
“Over your shoulder is the Red Bull hospitality unit – Laurent Mekies, the Team Principal, was the man that signed Ollie Bearman to the Ferrari Academy.
“I know Red Bull are keeping very close tabs on Ollie Bearman. If he hasn’t got a way into the Scuderia, that might be a very good option for Red Bull and for Ollie.”
Bearman, of course, is still a member of the Ferrari Academy, and is highly-regarded at the Scuderia, and with good reason.
After Carlos Sainz was forced to undergo emergency appendix surgery at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP, Bearman, still an F2 driver, stepped into the breach and scored points, receiving huge plaudits for his efforts.
Two impressive cameo appearances with Haas followed later that year, and he was duly signed as the American – and Ferrari engine customer – team’s line-up for 2025, and his performances this year have seen his stock continue to rise.
So much so, that Bearman was being touted for a full-time seat at Ferrari in the near future, but these speculative talks have quelled in recent weeks, with the upturn in performances from Lewis Hamilton.
A driver of Bearman’s quality and calibre – as well as tender years – would undoubtedly be considered by many teams, and the 21-year-old has firmly cemented himself as an established driver on the grid.
But if Red Bull, if it were to lose Verstappen, decided on Bearman, then it would need to show Ferrari the colour of its money if it were to have any chance of prising its superstar youngster from Maranello.
READ MORE – Oscar Piastri management rubbishes ‘nonsense’ McLaren F1 exit talk
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