Bearman to race for Haas in Sao Paulo with Magnussen out for full weekend

By Sports Desk November 02, 2024

Formula 1 team Haas have announced that driver Kevin Magnussen will miss the remainder of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend with illness, meaning Brit Oliver Bearman will race on Sunday.

The news of Magnussen feeling unwell came before Friday's action got under way and the decision was taken for Bearman to step in for free practice, Sprint Qualifying and Saturday's Sprint.

But soon after Sprint Qualifying, in which Bearman placed 10th, it was confirmed that Magnussen would not return to take any part of the weekend's running order.

Bearman was delighted with his showing, especially having had such little notice that he was going to be called into action.

"The car was feeling good all day honestly. From the first lap I did in P1, I had a great feeling. So, happy to be in SQ3 and finally make it to the third stage of a qualifying session," he told the official Formula 1 website.

"Ayao [Komatsu] woke me up this morning at like 6:30 with the call, but when I saw his name I wasn't so mad.

"If it was my mum or something, not realising the time, I would have been a bit more angry."

This is not the first time 19-year-old Bearman has stood with little preparation time, having previously raced for Ferrari in Saudi Arabia after Carlos Sainz was forced to withdraw through injury.

He has also come in for Magnussen before as well, replacing him in Azerbaijan when the driver was hit with a one-race ban.

The opportunity comes ahead of his full-time Formula 1 debut next year, in which he will take a seat for Haas.

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  • Verstappen's lead cut as Norris claims first sprint race victory Verstappen's lead cut as Norris claims first sprint race victory

    Lando Norris claimed his first-ever victory in a sprint race, cutting Max Verstappen's lead in the Formula One drivers' championship standings to 45 points ahead of the 

    Norris triumphed in the fifth sprint race of the campaign after fellow McLaren driver Oscar Piastri – who started on pole – was ordered to let his team-mate through two laps before the end.

    The McLaren duo had been involved in a four-way fight for top spot from the off, alongside Red Bull's Verstappen and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. 

    The team had planned to prioritise Norris as he looks to force his way into title contention in the season's closing weeks, though their drivers almost missed the chance to trade places when Haas' Nico Hulkenberg crashed out on lap 21, bringing about a virtual safety car.

    They managed to make the switch just before the VSC was deployed, though Verstappen – who finished third – could face a penalty for a potential infringement after attempting to challenge Piastri on the final lap.

    Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Norris said: "We're not proud about it but we work well as a team together, so I thank Oscar. 

    "We've done a great job as a team today and it was the result that we wanted. 

    "Oscar deserved it, but we are doing what we have to do. I thank him and the team and we had great pace so I'm looking forward to qualifying and the race tomorrow.

    "It felt good, we were clearly quicker than the guys behind so it was just difficult in the sprint race with lots to manage and push and that kind of thing but we executed it well."

    Leclerc finished fourth ahead of Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz, with George Russell in sixth ahead of Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Red Bull's Sergio Perez. Lewis Hamilton was down in 11th place.

  • Bearman to race for Haas at Sao Paulo with Magnussen out for full weekend Bearman to race for Haas at Sao Paulo with Magnussen out for full weekend

    Formula 1 team Haas have announced that driver Kevin Magnussen will miss the remainder of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend with illness, meaning Brit Oliver Bearman will race on Sunday.

    The news of Magnussen feeling unwell came before Friday's action got under way and the decision was taken for Bearman to step in for free practice, Sprint Qualifying and Saturday's Sprint.

    But soon after Sprint Qualifying, in which Bearman placed 10th, it was confirmed that Magnussen would not return to take any part of the weekend's running order.

    Bearman was delighted with his showing, especially having had such little notice that he was going to be called into action.

    "The car was feeling good all day honestly. From the first lap I did in P1, I had a great feeling. So, happy to be in SQ3 and finally make it to the third stage of a qualifying session," he told the official Formula 1 website.

    "Ayao [Komatsu] woke me up this morning at like 6:30 with the call, but when I saw his name I wasn't so mad.

    "If it was my mum or something, not realising the time, I would have been a bit more angry."

    This is not the first time 19-year-old Bearman has stood with little preparation time, having previously raced for Ferrari in Saudi Arabia after Carlos Sainz was forced to withdraw through injury.

    He has also come in for Magnussen before as well, replacing him in Azerbaijan when the driver was hit with a one-race ban.

    The opportunity comes ahead of his full-time Formula 1 debut next year, in which he will take a seat for Haas.

  • Piastri prepared to give up Sprint victory in Brazil to benefit Norris Piastri prepared to give up Sprint victory in Brazil to benefit Norris

    Oscar Piastri explained he would be willing to follow team orders to help out Lando Norris in his championship battle after claiming pole position for the Sprint at the Brazil Grand Prix.

    Piastri surged to the front row for Saturday's Sprint, edging McLaren team-mate Norris in the final moments, after the Briton had led proceedings throughout.

    Norris was pipped by two hundredths of a second, though is in prime position to close the gap to Max Verstappen in the drivers' standings. 

    Verstappen finished fourth, but is set to face a five-place grid drop for Sunday's race after Red Bull elected to change his power unit for the sixth time this season.

    Norris is currently 47 points behind the Dutchman in the drivers' championship, with this weekend offering the perfect opportunity for him to close the gap at the summit. 

    Despite his impressive effort, Piastri confirmed that the team is his priority, and he will focus on their overall result before they switch attention to the grand prix on Sunday. 

    “We’ll see what the pace is like for both of us tomorrow. I think first and second is the first objective, and then we’ll see what order it is," Piastri told Sky Sports. 

    “I know that I’m not in the running for the drivers’ standings and for the team, it doesn’t matter which way around we are. I know that’s the case and we’ll see.”

    Quizzed further on whether he would give up the win outright, he added: “Yes. I’ve said I would from when we first had these discussions.

    "It would be nice to win, but it’s one point difference, and it’s not the main race so we’ll see.

    “Lando needs the points in the drivers’ standings a lot more than I do, but of course I still want to win.

    "So if I put in the effort and have good pace, I’m sure that won’t go unnoticed, but let’s see.”

    Charles Leclerc completed the top three for Saturday's sprint, with Verstappen just behind, while Carlos Sainz, the winner at the Mexican Grand Prix last weekend, took fifth. 

    Mercedes' George Russell came in sixth, while the Alpine of Pierre Gasly finished seventh.

    Liam Lawson, Alex Albon and Ollie Bearman, who replaced the unwell Kevin Magnussen at Haas for the Sprint, rounded out the top 10. 

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