For the first time this season, Formula 1 fans are going to see Oliver Bearman driving a Haas as he takes part in FP1 in Imola and Nico Hulkenberg has shared more details about the team’s plans.
Oliver Bearman stunned the world of Formula 1 in Saudi Arabia, jumping into Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari at the last minute to secure a brilliant 7-place finish.
Speaking to Formel1.de, Nico Hulkenberg has been talking about what the 19-year-old will be doing in his first 2024 test for Haas.
Nico Hulkenberg and Oliver Bearman to work in tandem during Imola practice
After a winter of stability in Formula 1, the grid is beginning to be shaken up ahead of the 2025 season.
Lewis Hamilton was the first driver to announce his departure from Mercedes and excitement is already building ahead of his move to Ferrari.
The next driver to confirm he’ll be racing elsewhere was Nico Hulkenberg who finally made his long-awaited move to Sauber ahead of a 2026 takeover by Audi.
READ MORE: Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg’s life outside F1 from wife to height
That means that Haas are already starting to prepare for next season without their star driver.
Kevin Magnussen’s future with the team is still in doubt and his performance in Miami may have done him no favours.
However, Oliver Bearman is widely expected to be driving for Haas in 2025 and his first test of the year in Imola alongside Hulkenberg will give team principal Ayao Komatsu a better idea of how he stacks up against the 36-year-old.
The Haas-Ferrari connection puts the teenager in the perfect position to begin his Formula 1 journey with a team who are very much on the up after a disappointing 2023.
READ MORE: Who is Ferrari reserve driver Oliver Bearman? Everything you need to know
Oliver Bearman tasked with helping test Haas upgrades at Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
Talking about Miami and looking ahead to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Hulkenberg said: “It’s still a very positive weekend.
“We’ve learnt something new here and we’ll get more upgrades in Imola, so we’ve come full circle with our first package.
“That’s very encouraging and I’m looking forward to it.
“They [the upgrades] are for everywhere and should simply make the car faster and better.”
Hulkenberg then explained that a comparison test is planned for free practice in Imola and that’s where Oliver Bearman comes into play.
The German added: “The plan is for Ollie Bearman to drive with the old package in the first practice session and me with the new one, so that we have a decent comparison straight away.”
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Haas F1 Team from team principal to Ferrari relationship
Oliver Bearman might not be the only F1 rookie on the grid in 2025
Free practice in Imola is likely to be the first step towards Bearman replacing Hulkenberg at Haas.
The 19-year-old has five more practice sessions lined up with the team throughout the season and Ferrari are unlikely to be shy about testing him behind the scenes ahead of taking a 2025 race seat.
Mercedes youngster Andrea Kimi Antonelli is stepping up his preparations as he seeks a race seat next season.
Antonelli’s testing alongside Mick Schumacher with one eye on Logan Sargeant’s Williams seat.
Alpine are also ‘ready to react’ if both of their drivers move on at the end of the 2024 campaign and Jack Doohan and Victor Martins could benefit from the French pair departing.
The post ‘The plan is’: Nico Hulkenberg explains Oliver Bearman’s role ahead of first Haas FP1 appearance in Imola appeared first on F1 Oversteer.