Kevin Magnussen is just two points shy of facing a race ban.
In line for a second unscheduled F1 call-up as Kevin Magnussen closes in on a race ban, Oliver Bearman will be behind the wheel of the Haas VF-23 in Friday’s opening practice at the Emilia Romagna Grand Pix.
The Briton’s first of six FP1 runs has been marked, with team principal Ayao Komatsu suggesting a potential race seat in 2025. He has referred to the Bearman-Haas combination as a “highly impressive package”.
Haas won’t base Oliver Bearman verdict on F2 results alone
Bearman, a Ferrari junior, stepped onto the Formula 1 stage last season when he contested two practice sessions as Haas fulfilled their mandatory junior driver commitments. Such were his performances, Haas continued with the Briton this season.
Nevertheless, Ferrari granted the 19-year-old his inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix opportunity when he was unexpectedly placed in the car just before qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to Carlos Sainz’s sudden appendicitis-induced illness.
Bearman was amazed as he swiftly moved up from 11th place on the starting grid to secure seventh place as he crossed the finish line.
After resuming his Formula 2 duties, Bearman’s performance with Prema has been underwhelming, as he has only managed to secure two wins in two complete race weekends.
Nevertheless, Komatsu asserts that Haas will not solely rely on his F2 performance when considering a replacement for Nico Hulkenberg, who is headed to Audi, or in the event that Magnussen incurs a race ban due to accumulating 12 penalty points.
“The Haas team boss stated that it is a definite necessity for him to excel in F2; it’s a crucial combination,”
However, once you collaborate with him directly, you gain a comprehensive understanding of all the intricacies, the context, and the rationale behind certain occurrences or decisions.
“Yeah, I would place a higher emphasis on his performance in our environment. However, it is also essential for him to excel in F2, that much is evident.”
Komatsu stated that the opportunity is wide open. He mentioned that they have scheduled six sessions for him, the first of which will take place in Imola. They are eagerly anticipating the chance to observe his growth and assess their collaboration.
I have expressed this sentiment numerous times in the past – he is truly remarkable. There is absolutely nothing I can find fault with. The Haas and Bearman package is undeniably exceptional.
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Oliver Bearman could yet race for Haas this season
There is a possibility that Haas might have Bearman racing before the season concludes, as Magnussen is nearing a potential race ban.
In Miami, the Dane accumulated a total of 10 penalty points by scoring four, and he can hold onto all of them until 9 March 2025.
The team, however, has set their sights on the Briton for 2025, as they have a vacant seat after Hulkenberg announced a multi-year agreement with Sauber, which will be renamed Audi in 2026.
Haas is not being compelled by Hulkenberg’s departure to expedite their FP1 program for Bearman, as confirmed by Komatsu.
He stated that the team’s approach remains the same because they have a specific objective for each weekend. They have a clear understanding of what they need to achieve in the practice sessions to prepare for qualifying and the race.
“However, the key question remains: does the driver truly comprehend the objective? And can they actively contribute towards achieving such goals?”
“If this young driver’s sole focus is on constantly speeding and showcasing their speed to the world, it can be considered an immature approach.”
However, Ollie stands apart from those individuals. His performances in Mexico and Abu Dhabi have showcased his impressive speed. What sets him apart is his deep understanding of the broader context and his ability to positively contribute to the team. I hope to witness the continuation of his remarkable progress.
Additionally, there will come a point where he encounters a problem, such as a car issue that might cause him to lose half of a session. How will he respond to this adversity? It would be fascinating to observe his reaction in such a situation.
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