At the end of the 2023 Formula 1 season, few fans would have predicted that Haas would have a key role to play in the driver’s market.
Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg couldn’t help lift Haas off the bottom of the Constructors’ Championship but their fortunes have changed this year.
A report from Motorsport.com has explained some of the options available to Ayao Komatsu for next year.
There is one certainty when it comes to the Haas driver line-up for 2025 and that’s the confirmed absence of Hulkenberg.
The experienced German has been brilliant this year and earned himself a move to Sauber before they become the Audi works team in 2026.
There are no guarantees that Magnussen will still be a Haas driver next year either after a disappointing outing in Miami, although he upped his game at Imola with a drama-free drive through the pack to 12.
However, team owner Gene Haas is understood to not be sold on signing Oliver Bearman for 2025.
The 19-year-old tested for Haas for the first time this season at Imola and F1 fans were impressed.
But that might not be enough to convince Gene Haas who has been burnt before when it comes to hiring rookies.
READ MORE: Who is Ferrari reserve driver Oliver Bearman? Everything you need to know
Gene Haas unconvinced by signing Oliver Bearman for the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1 fans would have been aware of Oliver Bearman last season when he took part in two FP1 sessions for Haas in Mexico City and Abu Dhabi.
However, it was the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix where he made his name, substituting in for Carlos Sainz at last notice and becoming Ferrari’s youngest-ever F1 driver.
He performed admirably, scoring six points and earning the ‘world-class’ tag from former driver Giedo van der Garde.
Bearman returned to the F1 paddock in Imola and finished 15 in practice, although his time can’t be compared to Hulkenberg who was running a different program.
Gene Haas isn’t sure yet about Bearman and has plenty of other options on the table for the 2025 season.
Ferrari’s influence may end up playing a part and it could be that a favourable deal for Haas could persuade him to sign the teenager.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Haas F1 Team from team principal to Ferrari relationship
Haas have plenty of driver options for next season
The report from Motorsport.com suggests that Haas want to make an early move to lock in their driver line-up for next season.
Bearman has been strongly linked with a race seat, but Haas is understood to be reluctant to commit to hiring another rookie.
Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin both made their debuts with Haas but failed to live up to expectations and Haas failed to score a single point for the team in 2021.
Ayao Komatsu is a big fan of Bearman and appears to have no qualms with signing the young Brit.
He couldn’t have done much more during his Ferrari cameo to prove that he’s ready for Formula 1.
Haas need to make sure they’ve got the right driver alongside him and although he’s worked well with Magnussen in the past, there are other options available.
Esteban Ocon has been touted as one of Haas’s drivers for 2025 and would be a good partner for Bearman if Gene Haas is unsure about his experience.
Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas is eyeing up options up and down the paddock and would be a very interesting addition.
Haas might have started the season believing that they could attract one top driver and one exciting rookie for 2025.
Their strong start to the campaign might end up being bad news for Bearman if they suddenly think two experienced racers would be willing to make the switch to their team.
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