MoneyGram Haas F1 Crew has signed Nice Britain’s Oliver Bearman to compete for the US squad on a multi-year contract starting with the 2025 FIA Method 1 World Championship. The 19-year-old Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy member is at the moment an official reserve driver for the group whereas contesting the FIA Method 2 Championship for Prema Racing – Bearman collected his first win of the 2024 marketing campaign final weekend in Austria within the Dash race so as to add to his tally of 4 victories from a stellar rookie season in 2023.
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Bearman, in his further function as reserve driver for Scuderia Ferrari, made a memorable Method 1 debut again in March in Saudi Arabia, substituting for the sidelined Carlos Sainz – in doing so, turning into the third-youngest racer in Method 1 historical past. His mature efficiency from the then 18-year-old from Chelmsford noticed Bearman labeled seventh and firmly within the factors on his one-off race look behind the wheel of the SF-24, a promising signal of his potential within the sport.
No stranger to MoneyGram Haas F1 Crew – the one American group competing in Method 1, Bearman participated in two FP1 periods for the Kannapolis outfit in 2023, in Mexico and Abu Dhabi, respectively, adopted by a full day within the VF-23 on the end-of-season take a look at in Abu Dhabi. Introduced as an official reserve driver for MoneyGram Haas F1 Crew in January of this 12 months, Bearman’s work with the group this season consists of six FP1 periods, with the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this weekend marking his third look within the VF-24 with Hungary, Mexico and Abu Dhabi to comply with.
Ayao Komatsu, Crew Principal of MoneyGram Haas F1 Crew, mentioned: “It’s an thrilling factor to present a younger driver as proficient as Oliver Bearman his first full-time seat in Method 1. He’s developed into an extremely mature driver below the steering of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy. The world noticed that for themselves when he was known as in on the final minute to compete on the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Oliver proved he was greater than prepared for the duty, and we’ve seen that for ourselves working him within the Haas automobiles in our FP1 periods over the previous two seasons.
We’re wanting ahead to additional growing him as a driver and reaping the advantages of his expertise – each inside and outdoors of the automobile. Oliver’s a terrific man and a welcome addition to the group when he joins us for the FP1 weekends. We all know the connection can be longer-term, and it’s constructive for all involved.”
Gene Haas, Crew Proprietor of MoneyGram Haas F1 Crew, commented: “I’m happy we’ve been capable of give Oliver Bearman this chance to drive full-time in Method 1 – he’s undoubtedly an thrilling rookie prospect, not simply based mostly on what he confirmed in Saudi Arabia but additionally by his time growing his relationship with our group. I’m excited to see how he grows as a driver, and we look ahead to seeing him ship for the MoneyGram Haas F1 Crew subsequent season and past. That is an thrilling time for the group. Oliver’s signing reveals we proceed to spend money on expertise – each on and off-track – as we compete on the highest degree.”
Oliver Bearman acknowledged: “It’s onerous to say simply how a lot this implies to me. To say out loud that I can be a Method 1 driver for the MoneyGram Haas F1 Crew makes me immensely proud. Being one of many few individuals who get to do what they dreamed of as a baby is actually unbelievable. To Gene, Ayao and everybody at Haas, thanks for believing in me and trusting me to symbolize your group. I’ve loved working with everybody because the first time we met in Mexico, and I can’t wait to get pleasure from this second with them and, hopefully, many extra sooner or later. To Fred, Marco, Jock, Alessandro and everybody on the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy, fairly merely, I wouldn’t be right here with out you. Thanks for making ready me since F4 for this unbelievable alternative, and know I’ll give it every part I’ve.”
Bearman was signed to the celebrated Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy in November 2021 – the Brit following the likes of Charles Leclerc, Mick Schumacher and Robert Shwartzman in receiving outings with MoneyGram Haas F1 Crew by the group’s long-standing relationship with Scuderia Ferrari.
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Bearman, earlier than graduating into the FIA Method 2 Championship in 2023 – the place he completed his rookie season sixth total within the Drivers’ Standings, received the 2021 Italian F4 Championship and 2021 ADAC F4 Championship, and competed within the FIA Method 3 Championship in 2022.
MoneyGram Haas F1 Crew sits seventh total within the Constructors’ Championship because the British Grand Prix, Spherical 12 of the 2024 FIA Method 1 World Championship, is hosted at Silverstone Worldwide Circuit this weekend, Friday 5 – Sunday 7 July.
