Photo: Formula Motorsport Ltd
Haas has announced that Ollie Bearman will make his Formula 1 free practice debut with them at the Mexico City Grand Prix, then appear again at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Ferrari junior Bearman is in his rookie season of Formula 2 and sits sixth in the standings with one round to go. He has already won four races and taken three pole positions this year, and is in contention to be championship runner-up.
His first outing with Haas in Mexico City will also be his first ever mileage in a contemporary F1 car, having not done any tests since joining the Ferrari Driver Academy last year.
It has been rumoured for many months that the 18-year-old would get the call-up from Haas, who are closely linked to Ferrari courtesy of a customer engine deal, to fulfill their mandated obligation to run ‘young drivers’ in two practice sessions across the season.
“I am so happy to be joining Haas F1 Team driving in Mexico and Abu Dhabi,” said Bearman. “Getting to F1 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.”
Haas’s team principal Guenther Steiner commented: “We’re very happy to offer Oliver Bearman these outings in Mexico and Abu Dhabi. He’s had a stellar rookie season in F2, four wins is testament to that, and as part of the FDA – 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.”