Oliver Bearman reveals ‘valuable’ asset to replace Kevin Magnussen at Haas in Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Follow us on Google Discover

Haas have finally confirmed that Oliver Bearman will replace Kevin Magnussen at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix following the Dane’s race suspension.

Magnussen picked up two penalty points during the Italian Grand Prix after colliding with Pierre Gasly at the first chicane. It was by far not his worst infringement but the 31-year-old was hit with a penalty that subsequently took his points tally to 12.

This means that the Haas driver will serve a race ban at Baku, with Nico Rosberg urging Magnussen to learn to take it easy after Monza. It also marks the first time a driver has been suspended from a Grand Prix since Romain Grosjean in 2012 when the Frenchman caused a huge accident at the first corner at Spa.

Rumours began to speculate about who would replace Magnussen for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with reserve driver Bearman being the obvious favourite as he will race for the team full-time in 2025.

Sure enough, Haas have confirmed that the 19-year-old will return to Formula 1 with the American outfit in what will be his first full race weekend in the pinnacle of motorsport.

Oliver Bearman hails ‘valuable’ Ferrari experience as he replaces Kevin Magnussen for Baku

Following the announcement, Bearman hailed one ‘valuable’ asset he is taking on board into deputising for Magnussen with Haas at the Azerbaijan GP.

Bearman, who is currently in Formula 2 with PREMA, stepped in to replace Carlos Sainz at Ferrari in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix when the Brit put in a solid performance. Qualifying just outside the top 10, the teenager came home to score points during his Formula 1 debut in seventh.

READ MORE: Who is 2025 Haas driver and Ferrari gem Oliver Bearman? Everything to know

His experience with Ferrari in Jeddah is what Bearman says will be key with Haas as he’s set to step into the VF-24 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

“It’s definitely more of a challenge stepping in to race as a reserve driver, with limited prep-time and so on, but I’m in the fortunate position of having done it earlier in the year with Scuderia Ferrari, so I can at least call on that experience,” he said in a team release.

“I’ve also had four FP1 sessions with MoneyGram Haas F1 Team in the VF-24 already this season, so undoubtedly that will also prove to be valuable in tackling the full race weekend in Baku. The team is in good form at the moment and I’ll do my best to be prepared with the time we have available.

“The aim is to get out there and have a solid weekend in Azerbaijan.”

Can Oliver Bearman deliver for Haas before he joins the team full-time?

Bearman has been afforded a great opportunity to impress the Haas hierarchy before he makes the permanent switch next year.

Haas are a team in good form, as they sit seventh in the constructors’ championship with 28 points. Nico Hulkenberg has registered 22 of those points with a highest finish of sixth at Spielberg and Silverstone.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Haas F1 Team from team principal to Ferrari relationship

Bearman has endured a difficult season in F2, as he sits 14th in the standings, 115 points behind championship leader Isack Hadjar. With his struggles in the category, 2012 GP2 champion Davide Valsecchi wants to see something special from Bearman at Baku.

With previous experience at Jeddah with Ferrari, Bearman will be more prepared this time around to take on the challenge of F1 again with his future team.