- Bearman replaces Magnussen at Haas for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix due to Magnussen’s one-race ban.
- Magnussen was suspended after accumulating 12 penalty points, marking the first instance under the current penalty-point system.
- Bearman, who previously finished seventh while substituting for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari earlier this season, will step in.
- He has already gained experience with Haas in multiple free practice sessions before this race.
- Team principal Ayao Komatsu is optimistic about Bearman’s performance potential in Baku.
Newsypeople – Oliver Bearman is poised to take Kevin Magnussen’s place at Haas for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, scheduled for September 13-15, 2024.
This roster change follows Magnussen’s one-race suspension for accumulating 12 penalty points on his Super Licence, the result of a collision with Pierre Gasly during the Italian Grand Prix. At just 19 years old, Bearman has already been confirmed as a full-time Haas driver for the 2025 season, making this his second Formula 1 race appearance.
He previously raced earlier this season, stepping in for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where he impressively secured seventh place despite limited prep time.
Oliver Bearman has been diligently preparing for this opportunity, having participated in several free practice sessions with Haas throughout the current season, including events in Emilia Romagna, Spain, Britain, and Hungary. He mentioned that taking on the role of reserve driver poses unique challenges due to the restricted preparation time, but he feels fortunate to draw on his previous experience with Ferrari.
BREAKING: Haas announce Ollie Bearman to replace Kevin Magnussen for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, following Magnussen's one-race ban#F1 #AzerbaijanGP pic.twitter.com/t6gWMdEmcS
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 6, 2024
Team principal Ayao Komatsu expressed excitement about Bearman’s potential, noting that this race weekend would allow the team to collaborate closely with him—a crucial factor in his development as a driver.
Magnussen’s suspension marks a notable milestone in Formula 1, as he becomes the first driver to face a race ban due to the penalty-point system introduced in 2013. His recent performance included a tenth-place finish in Italy, but the incident leading to his suspension added two penalty points to his total, exceeding the allowable limit.
This development raises concerns about his future in the sport, particularly as there is only one seat remaining on the 2025 grid at the Sauber team, which is set to transition to Audi in 2026. As Bearman looks ahead to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, he aims to utilize his past experiences to deliver an impressive performance for Haas.
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