As of: March 13, 2024, 7:15 a.m
By: Luca Hartmann
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The 2025 Formula 1 season could be a bitter one for Germans: there is a risk of a year without drivers from Germany.
A youngster could take care of that.
Jeddah - Formula 1 youngster Oliver Bearman made the headlines at the most recent race weekend in Saudi Arabia: The 18-year-old stepped in for the injured Carlos Sainz in the Ferrari and achieved a strong 7th place on his Formula 1 debut.
The Brit could receive a regular cockpit next season - and thus ensure a season without a German driver.
A nightmare for all German motorsport fans.
German Formula 1 fans are threatened with a nightmare scenario: next season without a German driver?
Above all, Nico Hülkenberg, the last remaining German in Formula 1, is likely to be worried about Bearman's rise.
The 36-year-old's contract with the Haas racing team expires at the end of this season.
For an extension, Hülkenberg has to prove himself this season.
In Saudi Arabia, he finished 10th and at least picked up a point again after 21 pointless races.
However, if he really has to free up his cockpit for the young Brit at the end of the season, there is a risk of a Formula 1 season in 2025 without German participation.
Although the years of German dominance by drivers like Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg are over anyway, it has now been 43 years since a season without a German starting!
This was last the case in 1981.
Nico Hülkenberg has to fight for his Formula 1 cockpit at Haas.
© IMAGO/nordphoto GmbH / Bratic
Bearman breathing down his neck: Hülkenberg has to prove himself at Haas
However, a decision has not yet been made by the Haas team, but the praise for Bearman was great.
“It was immediately clear to me and most of us that he was special.
It’s just the whole package and he understands the goals, he did very well,” said Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu.
“He deserves a chance next year, I think,” Komatsu added.
However, Komatsu did not reveal whether Bearman will drive for his team next year.
“I mean, that's a very unfair question, to be honest.
Because Kev
(Kevin Magnussen, editor's note)
drove great today.
Nico also delivered today.
So how can I sit here and say that Bearman will be our driver for next year?
Based on today’s performance, it’s Nico and Kevin.”
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Bearman also has an opportunity with other teams, as several drivers' contracts expire at the end of the current season.
Experts therefore assume that there will be a large backlash.
So it's quite possible that some teams are interested in the Brit - and Nico Hülkenberg could also keep his place at Haas.
Even if Bearman really moves into the cockpit for Hülkenberg, the German fans still have another hope and that is: Mick Schumacher.
The 24-year-old will be used as a reserve driver for Mercedes this season and is hoping for a regular cockpit in Formula 1 again next season - possibly as the only German.
(LuHa)