For the second time in the 2024 Formula 1 season, Oliver Bearman was woken up early by a phone call. In Saudi Arabia, it was Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur contacting him (on Saturday morning) because of the appendicitis that sidelined Carlos Sainz. In Brazil, it was Ayao Komatsu, Haas’s team principal, who appeared on his phone. “He woke me up at six-thirty in the morning,” Oliver Bearman shared, “but I have to say that when I saw the name, I didn’t get upset; I was just relieved it wasn’t my mom miscalculating the time zone.” – he admitted.
Through the night from Thursday to Friday, Kevin Magnussen’s condition (affected by severe nausea symptoms) didn’t improve, and Haas informed Ollie Bearman to be prepared for FP1. “I’ll try to do my best to replace Kevin; I know he isn’t feeling well, and he’s always been fast on this track, even taking a pole here,” Oliver Bearman said. “But I admit I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to drive a Formula 1 car.”
The Ferrari junior’s performance was exceptional. After setting the third-fastest time in practice, Oliver outpaced Nico Hulkenberg by three-tenths in SQ3, making the cut. In the final segment, Oliver Bearman was potentially on track for a sixth-place finish, but an error in turn 2 cost him six-tenths and a track limit penalty.
The team then cleared Ollie Bearman, revealing that the tire temperature sensor had reported an incorrect value, and quickly confirmed him for the rest of the weekend. Regulations would have allowed Magnussen to return for the Grand Prix qualifying, but with zero laps completed and Oliver Bearman in such great form, it would have made little sense, regardless of the Danish driver’s physical state.
“The car performed really well in both practice and qualifying,” the British driver commented. “Right from my first lap in FP1, I felt good. I’m pleased to have made it to SQ3, but I’m left with a bit of disappointment for not achieving the result that was possible.”
Haas didn’t hide their satisfaction watching the driver they’ll have next season, hinting that they can’t wait to have him full-time.
“Ollie was impressive,” Komatsu remarked. “He had little time to prepare, called up last minute, but from his first FP1 lap, he amazed us. His driving in SQ1 and SQ2 was incredible, and in SQ3, we had an issue with the tire temperature control. The tires weren’t in the right window, and the turn 2 issue wasn’t due to his mistake.”
By competing in his third Grand Prix, Oliver Bearman will lose his rookie status and will no longer be eligible to run as a rookie in FP1 or in the young driver tests in Abu Dhabi. No big deal for Haas, who will need to find another rookie but has the assurance of having a high-quality driver to count on in 2025.
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