Race winner Oliver Bearman (GBR) Prema Racing celebrates on the podium. 30.04.2023. FIA Formula 2 Championship, Rd 4, Feature Race, Baku, Azerbaijan, Sunday.
Ferrari Academy Driver Ollie Bearman will conduct FP1 outings for Haas at this season’s Mexico and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix.
As per a regulation introduced last year by the FIA, the rules stipulate that every race driver has to give up an FP1 session for a rookie who has started no more than two grands prix.
Haas is one of several teams yet to hand a rookie participant an outing in the first practice session of a grand prix weekend in 2023.
However, Bearman will get his first opportunity to drive a Formula 1 car when he gets behind the wheel of the Haas VF-23 later this year. It has not been disclosed when each of the team’s full-time drivers – Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen – will give up their place.
Bearman is currently competing in the Formula 2 Championship and has won four races in his debut season to sit seventh overall in the standings with one round remaining.
The Briton previously won the Italian F4 Championship and ADAC F4 Championship in 2021, paving the way for Ferrari to recruit him to its academy ranks in November of that year.
Bearman will follow in the footsteps of Charles Leclerc, Mick Schumacher, Robert Shwartzman and Antonio Giovinazzi as a Ferrari affiliate undergoing an F1 weekend outing for Haas.
“We’re very happy to offer Oliver Bearman these outings in Mexico and Abu Dhabi,” Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner said.
“He’s had a stellar rookie season in Formula 2, four wins is testament to that, and as part of the Ferrari Driver Academy – we know his background preparation coming into these weekends will be first-rate. We look forward to welcoming Oliver into the team and have him drive the VF-23.”
Bearman added: “I am so happy to be joining MoneyGram Haas F1 Team driving in Mexico and Abu Dhabi. Getting to Formula 1 has been my dream since I was go-karting so to be driving a car for the first time this year is really special.
“I’m grateful to the team, and of course Ferrari, for allowing me this chance. I’m working hard to make sure I’m ready to support the team as best I can on both occasions.”
Bearman will accompany the Haas side throughout this weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix in preparation for his debut run at the end of this month in Mexico.
Keyword: Bearman to conduct FP1 runs for Haas in Mexico, Abu Dhabi