Bearman explains choice of F1 race number and also reveals 'amazing' video of Hamilton


Newly signed Haas driver Oliver Bearman has opened up about his choice of Formula 1 racing number, as well as telling the story of a video message Lewis Hamilton sent him when he was a child.

Bearman's 2025 contract with Haas was announced on Thursday ahead of his home British Grand Prix, and he will make his move to a full-time F1 seat after making a one-off appearance for Ferrari in Saudi Arabia.

Oliver Bearman's special column: On the cusp of an F1 dream

One of the most important decisions for a new F1 driver is choosing a permanent race number – Bearman took the #38 temporarily in place of Sainz in Jeddah.

Next year Bearman will use the number #87, the number he has raced his entire career and one that holds special significance to his family.

“I am going to use 87, it is confirmed,” he said. “I didn’t get a chance to choose my number in Jeddah. And first of all, even if I did, it was the last of my worries!

“it [#87] This is the number I have raced from the beginning and this is the number my dad used to race – because I was born on May 8 and my brother was born on August 7.

“Therefore, 87 remains the preferred number and will remain so.”

Oliver Bearman, Ferrari SF-24

Oliver Bearman, Ferrari SF-24

Photo: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

Although Bearman had been being considered for a Haas drive for some time, he said he only received the final approval after last weekend's Austrian GP.

“To be honest, it was confirmed after the Red Bull Ring on Sunday because in F1 it's never official until you put pen to paper,” he said.

“I knew that was what we were working towards and we were very much moving in that direction. But you can never celebrate too early, because F1 is a fast-moving world and you are only as good as your last race.

“When it finally happened I was obviously relieved, and I shared that moment with my manager, who’s always been there for me, and it was quite an emotional moment.”

Bearman also said that contemplating the journey he has taken to get to Formula One inspired him to revisit a video Hamilton sent him almost a decade ago.

Asked about racing with Hamilton next year, Bearman said: “It's crazy. And actually, I was looking back, and I found a video of him in 2015 or 16 saying “Keep trying, hopefully you'll be able to make it to F1 one day.” And here I am.

lewis hamilton, mercedes-amg f1 team, oliver bearmann, scuderia ferrari

lewis hamilton, mercedes-amg f1 team, oliver bearmann, scuderia ferrari

Photo: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images

“It's crazy to share the track with these guys I look up to racing. Even Fernando [Alonso]It's a very special thing, and it's a huge moment for you, because these guys are huge stars in my eyes and people I look up to. And it's amazing that I'll be sharing the circuit with them.”

Bearman said Hamilton's video came to him through a family friend.

“I think that he [Hamilton] I met a friend of my mom's or something, and she asked him to make a video. It was the most amazing day of my life. And then I really remembered it yesterday, I watched the video again, and it was a funny moment.”

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