Oliver Bearman will get another chance to impress in a Formula 1 race after being called up by Haas as a replacement for Kevin Magnussen at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Magnussen will serve a one-race ban as punishment for racking up 12 penalty points on his superlicence over a period of 12 months.
It was triggered after Magnussen collided with Pierre Gasly during the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, earning him a 10-second time penalty and two penalty points on his licence, taking him over the permitted amount.
The ban gives Bearman another opportunity behind the wheel of the Haas as he deputises for the Danish driver ahead of his first full F1 season with the team next year.
He has already taken part in a Pirelli tyre test at Silverstone driving the VF-24 and participated in four FP1 sessions for Haas this season at Imola, Barcelona, Silverstone and the Hungaroring.
Confirming that Oliver Bearman will step in to the VF-24 alongside Nico for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, following Kevin’s one-race suspension in Baku.
“It’s definitely more of a challenge stepping in to race as a reserve driver, with limited prep-time and so on, but I’m in the fortunate position of having done it earlier in the year with Scuderia Ferrari, so I can at least call on that experience," said Bearman.
"I’ve also had four FP1 sessions with MoneyGram Haas F1 Team in the VF-24 already this season, so undoubtedly that will also prove to be valuable in tackling the full race weekend in Baku. The team is in good form at the moment and I’ll do my best to be prepared with the time we have available. The aim is to get out there and have a solid weekend in Azerbaijan.”
Team principal Ayao Komatsu added: “I’m excited that Ollie will be driving the VF-24 alongside Nico in Baku. He’s already shown great promise in his FP1 outings and post-season test, and he performed very well when he drove for Scuderia Ferrari in Saudi Arabia, picking up points in the process.
"This is another excellent opportunity for both Ollie and the team to work together, this time throughout an entire race weekend, and he couldn’t ask for better teammate than Nico to provide him with a reference.”
Bearman shot to prominence earlier in the year as he replaced Ferrari's Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix when the Spanish driver had appendicitis.
He qualified in 11th position in Jeddah and drove to an impressive seventh-place finish, earning the plaudits.
Earlier in the season, Komatsu explained how he had been impressed by Bearman's professionalism, which convinced him to sign the youngster for 2025.
He told Autosport: "He's got the most important thing in the paddock, speed. But in terms of him understanding the bigger picture, it is impressive, because he is a young guy, and when he drives for us in FP1, we tell him the team's objective for that week and to achieve that objective.
"We say 'this is your role, this is your programme and what you need to achieve for the team as well as yourself' and he is able to understand that very well.
"He understands how he can contribute to the bigger picture, which is not the case with all the young drivers.
"Sometimes you can tell them all those things and then they go out and try to set the quickest lap every single time. But you have to be a team player in F1, especially with limited testing programmes and opportunities.
"Also, before the event, his engagement with the team is also very good and after the event, his debrief after the learning is also very good, and he is able to provide the feedback we need.
"He is very calm and very positive as well. So he can bring a good vibe to the team and make everybody welcome him.
"Some drivers are driven but can be negative, and when it is working, it is OK when the results are coming, but when they aren't, it can be draining.
"I have had some drivers like that who are massively talented, a really good driver and are hard-working but drive the team, not in wrong way, but on the negative side. And Ollie is very positive, so it is uplifting and a positive factor.”
Magnussen is expected to return to the Haas cockpit to compete in the Singapore Grand Prix later this month.
