Red Bull are reportedly keeping a close watch on Haas driver Oliver Bearman as speculation over Max Verstappen’s long-term future continues to grow, according to Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft.
Bearman has impressed since making his full-time Formula 1 debut with Haas in 2025, earning praise for his pace, maturity, and consistency. The young British driver has long been regarded as one of Ferrari’s brightest prospects after rising through the Italian team’s driver academy, with many expecting him to eventually secure a race seat at the Scuderia.
However, Ferrari’s current driver lineup could leave Bearman waiting longer than expected. Lewis Hamilton remains under contract until at least the end of the 2027 season, while Charles Leclerc has committed his future to Ferrari through at least 2028. Those long-term agreements have naturally raised questions about when, or even if, Bearman will receive an opportunity with the Italian giants.
At the same time, uncertainty surrounding Verstappen’s future has opened the door to fresh speculation elsewhere on the grid. Despite being contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2028, the four-time world champion has repeatedly been linked with a possible move away from the Milton Keynes-based team after Red Bull struggled to produce a consistently race-winning car under Formula 1’s new regulations.
McLaren has emerged as the team most frequently mentioned as a potential destination for Verstappen, although no agreement has been confirmed and the Dutch driver has not publicly indicated that he intends to leave Red Bull.
Should Verstappen eventually depart, Red Bull would face the enormous task of replacing one of Formula 1’s biggest stars. While McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has been linked with a switch to Red Bull amid a difficult 2026 campaign, Croft believes Bearman has also become a serious name on the team’s radar.
Speaking during the British Grand Prix weekend, Croft pointed to the close connection between Bearman and current Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies. Before joining Red Bull, Mekies played an important role at Ferrari and was instrumental in bringing Bearman into the Ferrari Driver Academy.
Croft suggested that this existing relationship could become significant if Bearman’s path to Ferrari remains blocked.
According to the Sky Sports commentator, Red Bull are paying close attention to Bearman’s progress, and if Ferrari cannot offer him a promotion in the near future, the energy drink-backed team could present an attractive alternative for both parties.
Former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button agreed with that assessment, arguing that Bearman’s management should keep all options open rather than focusing solely on Ferrari.
Button believes Bearman has the talent to compete for victories in the future, but warned that waiting too long for a Ferrari opportunity could limit his career progression. With Hamilton still performing at a high level and Leclerc firmly established, Bearman risks spending several more seasons at Haas if he places all his hopes on a Ferrari promotion.
At just 21 years old, Bearman still has plenty of time to shape his Formula 1 career. His performances have already attracted attention across the paddock, and if Red Bull’s driver market changes in the coming years, the British youngster could emerge as one of the leading candidates to join one of the sport’s top teams.
