Ollie Bearman will participate in an FP1 session for the second time this season with Haas, taking the place of Nico Hulkenberg.
The Brit impressed many onlookers early on in the season when he replaced an ill Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for Ferrari, managing to score a 7th place finish in spite of very minimal practice.
He has been linked with a move with Haas for the 2025 season, with the American team now with a vacant seat after Nico Hulkenberg’s upcoming departure to Sauber next year.
Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu has commented on the links, and confirmed the 19-year-old is under serious consideration for the seat next season, stating: ““Of course we are evaluating him, if he is not [under] consideration, we wouldn’t be running him in FP1, and the next time he’s going to be in the car is in Barcelona.
“I don’t particularly have a timeframe, it’s more about getting the right driver for our team. We are still a pretty small team. To have somebody experienced, somebody who’s got a really good work ethic, to integrate with the band well and really push the team forward… that’s what we’re looking for, so we’re talking with several different drivers.”
This will be the second time this season that Bearman will be behind the wheel of a Haas in an FP1 session this season, having previously done so at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
After his first taste of an F1 race, Bearman returned to Formula 2, a championship that he currently sits 13th in, though not helped by missing out on the Saudi Arabian races due to his afformentioned F1 substitution duties.
Having spoken prior to his FP1 session at Imola, he spoke of his return to F2, saying: “
Going back to F2, it was kind of like going back home. I had a taste of the amazing life in F1. If anything it motivated me more – I want to come back to F1 as quickly as possible. It was difficult to come back [to F2], but if anything I’m more motivated now and [I’ve] got more hunger to come back.”
Following on from this weekend, Bearman will be expected to complete another four FP1 outings with Haas by the end of the season, giving him more time to get acclimatised with the car and team currently sitting 7th in the Constructor’s Standings.
I’m a 23 year old journalist that loves all things racing. I have attended, the British Grand Prix and Belgian Grand Prix in previous years, and look forward to revisiting such iconic tracks again this year. Also, Daniel Ricciardo almost blanked me once when I tried to get a picture with him at Goodwood!
