Oliver Bearman’s F1 Journey Begins: A Test of Talent at Baku

Oliver Bearman’s Formula 1 journey took an unexpected turn several months before the 2025 season when he was called up to replace Kevin Magnussen at Haas under unique circumstances. Stepping into the spotlight following Magnussen’s disqualification from a race due to penalty points, the 19-year-old driver, already competing in Formula 2 for Prema Racing, seized the opportunity to experience the full intensity of a Formula 1 race weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

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In a free practice session, Oliver Bearman’s initial taste of Formula 1 came during the 2023 Mexico City Grand Prix. However, his proper debut in F1 competition occurred in March 2024 when he substituted for Carlos Sainz Jr. at Ferrari during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. He delivered an impressive performance by securing 7th place in qualifying and scoring 6 points in the race.

Now, at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Bearman faces his most significant challenge yet as he steps into the role of Haas’s primary driver, replacing Magnussen. The Baku City Circuit holds special significance for Bearman, where he showcased his talents during the 2023 Formula 2 weekend, triumphing in both the Sprint and Feature races. His performance in Baku demonstrated his ability to excel under pressure, a skill crucial as he transitions into Formula 1.

Reflecting on the opportunity ahead of the weekend, Bearman expressed both gratitude and determination: “It’s good to be back, although the circumstances aren’t ideal. It’s a fantastic chance to gain valuable experience and complete a full weekend. This time, I had some notice, which helped a lot. I’m looking forward to progressing step by step and enjoying every moment.”

While Bearman draws confidence from his past successes at Baku, he remains focused on continuous improvement and minimizing errors: “Last year was successful, and I’m thrilled to return here in the context of Formula 1. Stepping up this weekend is a tremendous experience. Baku gave me a lot of confidence last year, even though I hit the wall in every session. This time, I aim for a cleaner approach to maximize my performance and enjoy the experience.”

Participating in the entire race weekend presents a significant learning curve for Bearman, especially as he prepares for his first FP2 session: “I’ll approach it step by step because we have the time to do so. In Formula 2, you must be immediately competitive and take risks in a single session. This weekend, we have three opportunities to do so. It’ll be my first FP2 session, and I’m eager to maximize my learning and enjoyment.”

For Oliver Bearman’s racing career, this weekend marks a pivotal moment as he prepares to become a full-time Formula 1 driver with Haas in 2025. Competing alongside Nico Hulkenberg offers invaluable insights and growth opportunities. Ayao Komatsu, Haas Team Principal, expressed his anticipation: “I’m excited to see Ollie driving the VF-24 alongside Nico in Baku. He’s demonstrated promise in his FP1 outings and post-season tests, and his performance with Scuderia Ferrari in Saudi Arabia was commendable, earning points in the process. This presents another excellent opportunity for Ollie and the team to collaborate throughout an entire race weekend, with Nico providing invaluable guidance as a teammate.”

This weekend in Baku signifies a race for Bearman and a significant stride towards establishing himself in the competitive world of Formula 1.

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