Bearman Shines in Sprint Qualifying, Set to Race for Haas After Magnussen’s Withdrawal
The Haas F1 Team has confirmed that young driver Oliver Bearman will step in for Kevin Magnussen for the entire São Paulo Grand Prix weekend, after the Dane was sidelined by illness. Magnussen, who had been feeling unwell, missed Friday’s FP1 and Sprint qualifying sessions, where Bearman quickly impressed by reaching SQ3 and securing 10th on the grid, out-qualifying teammate Nico Hulkenberg.
Bearman, who initially filled in just for Friday’s sessions, will now drive in Sunday’s Grand Prix at Interlagos, marking his second start for Haas after a substitute appearance in Baku earlier this season. “MoneyGram Haas F1 Team can confirm that Kevin Magnussen will not compete in the São Paulo Grand Prix and Oliver Bearman will race for the team for the remainder of the weekend,” Haas announced in a statement.
Haas has been in strong form recently, scoring points in the last five Grands Prix and counting the Sprint at COTA as well. Magnussen himself delivered an impressive P7 finish in Mexico City, which team principal Ayao Komatsu hailed as his best performance for the team.
Bearman’s F1 experience includes a notable P7 finish for Ferrari at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix earlier this year when he substituted for an unwell Carlos Sainz. Now, with a solid Sprint qualifying under his belt, Bearman is set to take on the iconic Interlagos circuit, aiming to keep Haas in the points-scoring momentum as they head into the final races of the season.
