Ayao Komatsu is ‘very happy’ that Oliver Bearman will do six FP1 sessions with Haas in 2024 after proving that he is a ‘total package’ for Ferrari during the Saudi Arabian GP.
The 18-year-old got a shock Grand Prix debut at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit this weekend after replacing Carlos Sainz. A chance to drive in Formula 1 fell in Bearman’s lap after Ferrari had to change their plans at the eleventh hour when Sainz was diagnosed with appendicitis.
Bearman is the reserve driver for both, Ferrari and Haas, this year and was in Jeddah to race in Formula 2 with Prema. He secured an understudy role with the Scuderia in January, along with Antonio Giovinazzi and Robert Shwartzman, and added Haas to his duties in February.
Oliver Bearman scored points on his Ferrari F1 debut at the Saudi Arabian GP
Pietro Fittipaldi is also one of Haas’ reserve drivers for in case Kevin Magnussen and/or Nico Hulkenberg are ever unavailable. Bearman joined the IndyCar driver for the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team on Haas’ roster after entering two FP1 sessions with the squad in 2023.
But his debut chance to race in Formula 1 arrived with Ferrari at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP as Bearman replaced Sainz. The Chelmsford native also impressed in Jeddah, qualifying with 11th place before securing points in the Grand Prix with P7 after an intelligent drive all race.
Haas boss Ayao Komatsu thinks Oliver Bearman is ‘a total package’
Bearman showed his intelligence to withstand pressure from Haas star Magnussen over the early laps. He also took a set of hard compound Pirelli tyres from a Lap 7 safety car through to the finish to jump Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton, who stayed out under the safety car.
The teenager finishing his F1 debut in P7, whilst also becoming the youngest-ever British F1 race driver and youngest Ferrari F1 race driver, only served to help Bearman’s reputation in the eyes of Haas team principal Komatsu. He already felt Bearman was the ‘total package’.
“To be honest, I haven’t actually studied Ollie’s race today,” 48-year-old Komatsu told Sky Sports F1 (9/3, 19:35). “I’m sure [it was very good] where he finished.
“But, look, last year we ran him in FP1 sessions in Mexico and Abu Dhabi, straight away it was obvious that he’s a total package. He’s so impressive. So, I was very happy that we got for six FP1s this year. And, yeah, [I am] very happy for him.”
Oliver Bearman will drive in six F1 FP1 sessions with Haas in 2024
Ferrari secured Bearman his debut in an official Formula 1 weekend session with Haas at the Mexico City GP. The Briton also drove for the American-owned team in FP1 at the Abu Dhabi GP. But Haas have increased his number of free practice sessions to six for the 2024 season.
Bearman will get behind the wheel of one of Haas’ VF-24 cars for FP1 at the Emilia Romagna GP, the Spanish GP, the British GP, the Hungarian GP, the Mexico City GP and the Abu Dhabi GP in 2024. Fittipaldi is now in his sixth season working for Haas and does various test roles.
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