Motor racing-Haas impressed by Bearman, Ferrari to wait on Sainz

LONDON (Reuters) – Ayao Komatsu, the team boss of Haas, praised Oliver Bearman as “a total package” following the British teenager’s impressive debut with Ferrari, sparking rumors of a potential full-time Formula One seat for him next season.

It is widely speculated that the 18-year-old could join Ferrari-powered Haas, with whom he has a cooperation agreement and serves as a reserve driver.

Bearman stepped in for Carlos Sainz during the final practice and qualifying sessions in Jeddah, qualifying in 11th place and finishing seventh in the race.

Meanwhile, Haas, who finished last overall in 2023 and appointed Japanese engineer Komatsu as their new team principal, secured their first point of the season with Nico Hulkenberg finishing 10th.

Komatsu described the achievement as a significant win for Haas, while also acknowledging Bearman’s exceptional performance.

“Last year, when we gave him the opportunity to participate in FP1 sessions in Mexico and Abu Dhabi, it was clear that he has all the necessary skills. He’s truly impressive,” Komatsu told Sky Sports.

“I was delighted to have him for six FP runs this year and I am very happy for him,” he added, referring to Bearman as the youngest British F1 driver.

Hulkenberg, 36, and teammate Kevin Magnussen, 31, are both nearing the end of their contracts at the conclusion of the current season.

Following the race, Bearman expressed his eagerness to establish a rapport with Haas and gain more experience on the track.

“I hope I made a good impression today,” he stated.

Furthermore, Bearman is also competing in Formula Two, where he is yet to score any points due to missing the Jeddah round. Despite securing pole position for the feature race, Zane Maloney of Barbados leads the championship with 47 points.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur emphasized that F2 should remain Bearman’s primary focus for the remainder of the season.

Although a second Formula One outing in Melbourne in two weeks could be a possibility, it depends on Sainz’s recovery.

“We will make a decision likely only in Melbourne,” Vasseur noted. “With Ollie, we have a reliable reserve driver.”

Sainz is currently recuperating and is determined to be back in the car for the Australian Grand Prix, having made a remarkable effort to attend the race in Jeddah just a day after undergoing surgery for appendicitis.

However, as Vasseur recalled, Sainz’s battle with illness leading up to the race serves as a reminder that determination alone may not always suffice.

“He struggled with a fever and stomach issues on Thursday and was confident that he would be better the following day,” Vasseur recounted. “Ultimately, he ended up in the hospital by 11:30 and it became clear that things were not progressing as expected.”

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Ken Ferris)