Bearman: Knowing I’m racing is a big help!
Britain’s Oliver Bearman will take over Kevin Magnussen’s seat at this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix as the Dane is banned due to hitting the limit for penalty points.
Magnussen was handed a one-race ban after picking up his 12th penalty point within a 12-month span at the Italian Grand Prix, having been adjudged to have caused a collision with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.
Bearman, 19, has already been signed by Haas for next season and, as one of the team’s reserve drivers for this campaign, was the obvious choice to step up.
He raced for Ferrari at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix earlier this year when Carlos Sainz has surgery on his appendix, but only took the Spaniard’s seat ahead of final practice in Jeddah.
“It’s nice to be back. Of course, not the circumstances I would have hoped but it’s a great opportunity to build up my experience and get a full weekend under my belt,” said Bearman.
“I had some notice this time. I’ve known it was coming, which is helpful. I just want to build it up step by step and enjoy it as well.
“Knowing I’m going to race is a big help and also the fact I’m doing FP1 and FP2 to help build it up.
“Of course I’ve been training hard but I’ve been doing that anyway because I’m racing that next year.”
Bearman: Knowing I’m racing is a big help!
Britain’s Oliver Bearman will take over Kevin Magnussen’s seat at this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix as the Dane is banned due to hitting the limit for penalty points.
Magnussen was handed a one-race ban after picking up his 12th penalty point within a 12-month span at the Italian Grand Prix, having been adjudged to have caused a collision with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.
Bearman, 19, has already been signed by Haas for next season and, as one of the team’s reserve drivers for this campaign, was the obvious choice to step up.
He raced for Ferrari at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix earlier this year when Carlos Sainz has surgery on his appendix, but only took the Spaniard’s seat ahead of final practice in Jeddah.
“It’s nice to be back. Of course, not the circumstances I would have hoped but it’s a great opportunity to build up my experience and get a full weekend under my belt,” said Bearman.
“I had some notice this time. I’ve known it was coming, which is helpful. I just want to build it up step by step and enjoy it as well.
“Knowing I’m going to race is a big help and also the fact I’m doing FP1 and FP2 to help build it up.
“Of course I’ve been training hard but I’ve been doing that anyway because I’m racing that next year.”
