Vasseur Hints at F1 Future for Oliver Bearman After Stunning Debut
Mar.11 - Frederic Vasseur admits "it's a possibility" that impressive one-off rookie Oliver Bearman, 18, will make his full-time F1 debut with Haas next year.
As Carlos Sainz was diagnosed with appendicitis just prior to the pre-qualifying final practice session in Jeddah, Ferrari junior Bearman was plucked out of the Formula 2 paddock and straight into a red suit.
Most of the entire F1 paddock was impressed as he finished the weekend P7 at the chequered flag.
"What I like is that he represented the rookies," Dutch racing driver Ho-Pin Tung told Viaplay. "There were no new drivers this year, but now we see that you can put a rookie in Formula 1 and they do well."
Racing veteran Tim Coronel goes a step further.
"It's time for some people to leave the field now," he said. "How many drivers have left and come back? (Kevin) Magnussen, (Nico) Hulkenberg. Just stay away and give those new guys a chance.
"This boy belongs in F1," he insisted.
Tung agreed: "Haas is already looking at him."
Indeed, Bearman is slated to do six initial practice sessions for the small Ferrari-affiliated team throughout 2024 - but Vasseur is trying to keep the hype and expectations down.
"He has had one race, so the best way to help him is not to draw a conclusion," said the Frenchman. "We have to take it easy. In a couple of weeks, this result will be forgotten.
"He will have opportunities during the season to do practice and test the car, but his goal this year is Formula 2 and now he has to catch up."
A placement at Haas-Ferrari for 2025, however, is a "possibility" for Bearman, Vasseur admits. And that also seems to be supported by Ferrari chairman John Elkann.
"One of the great efforts that has been made at Ferrari in recent years has been to focus on young people," he said in Saudi Arabia when asked about Bearman.
Not everyone, however, was overly impressed by Bearman at Jeddah.
"When (Sergio) Perez is half a second slower than Max (Verstappen), he's a pancake - but when Beraman is half a second slower than (Charles) Leclerc, he's absolutely fantastic?" wondered well-known Dutch pundit Olav Mol, on Ziggo Sport.
"I don't think so."
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Firstly, Fred doesn't decide who drives for Haas, but Gene (who has the final say in the end) & he, as well as the team as a whole, clearly prefers experienced drivers these days & have done so since sacking Mick for Hulk, not to mention independent teams serving others is a past thing in F1 generally.
Komatsu has also played down suggestions about Bearman becoming a full-time driver for next season & rather oppositely, spoken towards keeping the current lineup.
Olav who, ziggi what? It gets worse!
"It's time for some people to leave the field now," he said. "How many drivers have left and come back? (Kevin) Magnussen, (Nico) Hulkenberg. Just stay away and give those new guys a chance
You cant blame them, a salary more than they'd earn anywhere else in M-sport for another cpl of years Yes please.........!
As for the Haas driver holding up others during the race, Come on , its been happening at Monaco for years and No -one says anything, as they say suck my balls and move on...!
The issue was how that holding up process started rather than doing so per se.
Oliver to Ferrari if Carlos is behind his team mate next race.
Remember the Colosseum
A simple press release saying " I will not be driving for Haas this or any other year" , should stir memories and see some action.
(Worked for Piastri)
The absolute bet choice would be to send Loser Shamilton to Haas and put Ollie in Sainz's old seat. Overall, I think Sainz got the short end of the deal and it baffles me why Ferrari would even accept the Loser in their ranks.
I don hink f1 is redy for ha volume of excuses (keyboard error )
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