Steiner trusts Bearman for the FP1 in Mexico

Oliver Bearman will participate in his first F1 testing session in Mexico driving for Haas. In order to give young drivers a chance to catch the attention of teams, the FIA requires all teams to have a rookie drive one of their cars during a FP1 session each year. The American team, closely linked to Ferrari, has a tradition of giving opportunities to young talents from the Maranello pool. This is a relationship that Mick Schumacher notably benefited from before being promoted as a full-time driver in 2021.

With this regulation and the Haas-Ferrari relationship, Oliver Bearman will carry out his first trial session in the top category of motor racing in Mexico. He will also have the chance to get behind the wheel of the VF-23 during the FP1 in Abu Dhabi for the last Grand Prix of the season. “I can’t wait for this adventure to begin, and I am very happy to be driving for Haas F1 Team in Mexico and Abu Dhabi,” said the British driver in a statement published by Ferrari. “Getting into Formula 1 has been my dream ever since I first raced in karting, and making my debut in the top category is truly something special. I would like to thank the team for this opportunity and Ferrari for making it possible. I will prepare as much as possible and try to make a real contribution to the team on these two occasions.”

Bring back the car without any hassle

The team has already experienced some setbacks during Free Practice 1, notably Antonio Giovinazzi’s serious collision in Hungary in 2017, and again last year at the Circuit of the Americas, even though he already had 3 full seasons under his belt. However, Günther Steiner has confidence in the Ferrari academy driver. « We’re always a little nervous. But, and I hope I’m right tomorrow, he knows that the biggest mistake he can make is to overdo it », said the team principal. « I explained to him that we are always judged for the things we do wrong, not for the things we do right. I think he’s intelligent enough not to do something stupid. He needs to learn as much as possible and not make mistakes. I believe he doesn’t have much pressure and he’s in a good position. »

More to lose than to gain.

Oliver Bearman is aware that he will have to bring back the car smoothly and that he has more to lose than to gain. However, he is eagerly awaiting his first outing. As Günther said, there is nothing positive, nothing to gain on Friday, announced the 18-year-old driver. It’s a mandatory session and I just have to bring back the car. But at the same time, I’m really excited to start, it’s going to be really fun. I’ve already driven the F1 at Fiorano. So I have a taste of what it’s like at full throttle. It will only integrate, and hopefully, will also bring useful data to the team. I think it would be foolish to set expectations. My first goal is to get to know the people and show them what I can do and present myself as a good guy.

Haas occupies the 9th place in the constructors’ standings in 2023 before the start of the Mexican weekend. Currently in a battle with Alfa Romeo in the championship, Romain Grosjean’s former team hopes that the improvements they have made during their home race will pay off for the last Grand Prix of this season.