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The teenager’s impressive run to seventh when he replaced Carlos Sainz at Ferrari in Jeddah has inevitably led many observers to assume he will be promoted to a seat at Haas in 2025.
Bearman drove for the American team in two Free Practice 1 sessions last season and he has a schedule of six practice sessions planned for this year.
However, Hülkenberg believes Bearman should focus on his immediate work in F2 rather than being distracted by the prospect of promotion to F1.
“I think it’s very early and way too early to tell,” he noted when asked by Autosport if he thought he was potentially in a race with teammate Kevin Magnussen for a seat. alongside Bearman.
“I think first of all he has a big job to do in F2, because otherwise if he doesn’t do well there, this Jeddah race is going to be forgotten in two days. You know how this business works.
“So I think there is some pressure on him to perform now in F2, actually.”
Responding to the suggestion that it is more important for a young driver to shine when given a chance in F1, he said: “Yes, of course, as always, if you have an opportunity you have to make it work , and he did it in Jeddah 100%.
Oliver Bearman, Ferrari SF-24
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
“But he’s obviously a Ferrari junior. And if he continues to perform, even in F2, I think he will definitely get his chance one day. »
Despite his praise for Bearman’s debut performance, Hülkenberg felt that the favorable Ferrari machinery available to the Briton had elevated his potential.
“He was in the second best car after all, and you see how powerful and valuable that is, and what kind of difference it makes,” he added. “So in a way it’s a bit difficult for everyone in the midfield and for us to see that. But it’s like that.
Echoing Hülkenberg’s positive sentiments regarding Bearman’s outing at the Saudi Grand Prix, Magnussen was asked about the potential of having the 18-year-old as a teammate in the future.
“I think looking at him as a young rider, I can understand where he is in his career and in his life. So I hope all the best for him,” Magnussen said.
“Nico is a very, very competent teammate. I think we have a very good dynamic within the team, we work very well together. I think as part of the journey we’re taking as a team, I think it helps to have experienced riders.
“We just have to make the most of what we have right now with the two drivers and the car that we have, and I think it’s going well.”
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