Oliver Bearman will drive the Haas F1 in the EL1 in Mexico and Abu Dhabi
The 18-year-old English pilot, member of the Ferrari Academy and competing in the Formula 2 championship this year, will experience driving a F1 by the end of the season.
In Formula 1, the sports regulations require each team participating in the world championship to run a rookie during two official free practice sessions at a Grand Prix. Until now, Haas F1 had not yet asked Kevin Magnussen or Nico Hülkenberg to give their seat to another driver. This will be done by the end of the year.
The American stable has indeed just announced that Oliver Bearman will participate in the first free practice session of the Grand Prix of Mexico and Abu Dhabi. Prema Racing driver in F2 and currently 6th in the championship of the anteroom of F1, the Englishman has already won four races including a Sprint and achieved three pole positions for a total of six podiums, for what is his first season in this category.
Team Principal of the American team, Günther Steiner reacted to this announcement: « We are very pleased to offer Oliver Bearman the opportunity to participate in tests in Mexico and Abu Dhabi. He is having a fantastic season in Formula 2 with four wins and he is a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy. We know his journey and we know that he will be very well prepared for these two weekends. We are looking forward to welcoming Oliver to the team and having him on board the VF-23. »
The main person concerned also reacted to this news and, unsurprisingly, he says he is very eager to find himself behind the wheel of an F1.
« I am so happy to join MoneyGram Haas F1 Team to drive in Mexico and Abu Dhabi! Arriving in F1 has been a dream since I started karting so to drive a car for the first time this year is very special. I am grateful towards the team, and towards Ferrari of course, for giving me this chance. I am working hard to make sure I’m ready to support the team as best I can on these two occasions. »
The Mexican Grand Prix will be the 19th appointment of the season and will take place on the weekend of October 27 to 29, while the one in Abu Dhabi will close this 2023 season and will be held on the weekend of November 24 to 26.
