The sudden call-up to Brazil has deprived the Briton of his rookie advantages: Haas and Ferrari will have to reorganise their plans.
In Brazilian GP, Ollie Bearman found himself at the start of his third weekend in F1 without being a regular driver. An enviable record, but it hides a flaw that perhaps no one had taken into account: the young talent loses the requirements to be considered a rookie. Ferrari and Haas will have to review their plans for the end of the season.
Brazil GP: Ollie's 3rd F1 race
The Friday of the Brazilian GP opened with unexpected news. Kevin Magnussen's sudden illness forced the Haas team to find a replacement, with the choice once again fell on Bearman. Sure that he would have to compete in all Friday sessions, and consequently in Saturday’s Sprint Race – which he finished in 14th place – he actually took to the track for the whole weekend.
Despite not scoring points compared to previous races, Haas did not hide their satisfaction with the performance of their official driver in 2025. A precious opportunity according to Bearman, who declared after the race:
“It was a tough race and I made too many mistakes. On the one hand, we finished P12, close to the points, despite the mistakes I made, but on the other hand there were too many mistakes and time lost. It was a really tough day and I definitely learned a lot. I will take the positives of learning the track, which I wouldn’t have done until next year, and of course racing in these conditions is rare, so it was really valuable.”
This sudden call, however, also has negative implications for the rest of the season for Bearman, but also for the Haas and Ferrari teams.
Goodbye to rookie status for Bearman
Having been a starter in 3 Grand Prix has effectively taken away the title of rookie from the young Ferrari Driver Academy driver. What does this mean?
First of all, Bearman loses the chance to compete in FP1 in Abu Dhabi and will also not be able to participate in the youth test day that will take place on December 10th at Yas Marina, at the end of the F1 season. Of course! Thanks to these three GPs – triumphant debut with Ferrari in Arabia e record in Baku – has been able to gain experience for next season, and the conditions in which he has competed are almost certainly more important than tests and free practice. It is the teams involved who have a tough nut to crack.
Ferrari will be forced to run another youngster in the FP1 of Abu Dhabi, the last opportunity that the teams will use for the free practice of the rookies. Haas, on the other hand, will have to do without one of its full-time driver in 2025, thus having only Esteban Ocon ahead of his contract.
Being a regular in F1 has its disadvantages, but if this is the price to pay…
Officially welcome to F1, Ollie Bearman.
