Ferrari junior Oliver Bearman to make F1 race weekend debut with Haas FP1 outings

Ferrari junior driver Oliver Bearman will make his Formula 1 race weekend debut when he drives a Haas in first practice in Mexico and Abu Dhabi.

Bearman, 18, has won four races in his rookie F2 campaign this season and currently sits sixth in the drivers’ standings with one round to go.

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The Briton is the latest in a string of Ferrari Driver Academy racers who have previously driven Haas machinery in practice sessions, the list including Charles Leclerc, Mick Schumacher, Antonio Giovinazzi and Robert Shwartzman.

F1 teams are required to run a young driver – defined as someone who has started no more than two Grands Prix – in two FP1 sessions per season.

“We’re very happy to offer Oliver Bearman these outings in Mexico and Abu Dhabi,” said Haas boss Guenther Steiner.

“He’s had a stellar rookie season in Formula 2, four wins is testament to that, and as part of the Ferrari Driver Academy – we know his background preparation coming into these weekends will be first-rate. We look forward to welcoming Oliver into the team and have him drive the VF-23.”

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Bearman added: “I am so happy to be joining Haas driving in Mexico and Abu Dhabi. Getting to Formula 1 has been my dream since I was go-karting so to be driving a car for the first time this year is really special.

“I’m grateful to the team, and of course Ferrari, for allowing me this chance. I’m working hard to make sure I’m ready to support the team as best I can on both occasions.”

Bearman, who won the 2021 Italian F4 championship before joining the Ferrari Academy later that year, will be in Qatar this weekend to begin embedding himself in the team ahead of the two practice outings.

He will dovetail his run in Abu Dhabi with the F2 season finale at the same venue on the same weekend.