AUSTIN — Oliver Bearman will have a new teammate for the 2027 Formula 1 season once, as is largely expected, he and Haas confirm a new contract for the upcoming campaign. That will make the young British driver a veteran within the team.

But while that gives Bearman a chance to show what he can do as a veteran leader within an F1 team, the driver believes that the “big step” he made this season has already demonstrated what he can deliver on the grid.

And where it could lead him in the future.

“To be honest, I think I’ve shown that already,” said Bearman to the media, including SB Nation, when asked about taking on a leadership role next year and what that could prove to the top teams on the grid.

“I think this year has been a big step for myself in terms of, okay, on-track performance. But more importantly, how I deal with the team, how I transition into that role of leading the team, and I think I’ve seen a big step in how I deal with the team, but also how the team values my input and my feedback,” continued the Haas driver.

”It’s definitely important to be cemented as the team leader by having more experience. But it’s not that I’m, you know, not already working well towards that.

”I think this year has been a big step in that regard, and it’s normal coming from Formula Two that it’s not an instant transition, and it takes time. But I would say that I’ve really, you know, come a long way in that regard.”

Haas confirmed that Rafael Câmara will join the team for next year, which sets up something of a reunion for the two young drivers. Both were signed to the Ferrari Driver Academy at the same time, and will now take on the F1 grid as teammates.

“Yeah, actually, it’s funny because we joined Ferrari on the same day,” began Bearman on Thursday.

“We both signed at the same time, and I think we’re like three or four days apart in birthdays. But no, it’s really cool. I think for him, he’s been having a really good time in the junior formulas, and I think Haas is a great place to start your F1 career; you know, it’s a great team, welcoming, and probably quite different compared to other teams.

“I don’t know how some of the other teams are where rookies tend to go, but I’ve really enjoyed kind of the atmosphere here.”

With two young drivers, both members of the Ferrari Drivers Academy, expected to be a Haas next season many believe it will set up a “shootout” between Bearman and Câmara for a spot with the Scuderia in the future.

For Bearman, his present lies with Haas.

But his future is something different.

“I’m committed to Haas myself and, and the length of the deal [with Haas] is not really my remit, you know. I’m happy to be in F1, but of course looking into the medium- and long-term, I also feel like I’m ready to fight for podiums and fight at the front,” continued Bearman.

“In terms of a midfield team, Haas is the team that I want to be with, and I see my future with. But at some point as well I feel like I’ve earned the opportunity to go out and look for, for a top four team,” added Bearman. “And of course, with my link with Ferrari, that would be my ultimate goal. But yeah, like I said, I’m not discussing the nitty-gritty; that’s what my kind of short-term ambition is, and my medium- to long-term [ambition] is of course to be fighting for podiums.

“I hope that Haas can give me that opportunity, but, yeah, let’s see.”