Bearman's responds to Antonelli's signing: 'I'm not jealous, I have a seat'

It doesn't happen every year: Two drivers from the same Formula 2 team will make the switch to Formula 1. Oliver Bearman and Andrea Kimi Antonelli will be promoted from their Prema team in F2 to Haas and Mercedes respectively. The latter's transfer was announced last weekend in Monza ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.

Although the announcement did not come as a surprise, it had been expected for a while that Mercedes would opt for the 18-year-old Italian to succeed Lewis Hamilton. Bearman, whose seat for Haas was confirmed months ago, agreed in a conversation with GPblog.

"Yeah, not a very expected announcement!" The Brit said lightheartedly. "No, I'm kidding. I'm very happy for Kimi. It was a long time coming. I think there was a lot of talk about it. I think to finally have your future announced is quite a nice feeling. Especially with Mercedes with the way they're performing right now. I'm very happy for him," the 19-year-old revealed.

Bearman, who drove a Grand Prix as a substitute this season on behalf of Ferrari, will race at Haas. "I wouldn't say I'm jealous. I have a seat in F1, which is the important thing. It's very, very tight at the moment within the grid. And I feel like I can really fight for points next year as well. So yeah, I wish him the best. And I'm really happy to be on the grid with him next year." Bearman concluded.

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