Australian driver Oliver Bearman has been called up to replace the banned Kevin Magnussen at Haas for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix

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The 2025 Haas race driver is set to make his mark in the Formula 1 circuit as he steps in to replace the banned regular, Kevin Magnussen, for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix. This will be his second appearance in a Formula 1 grand prix this season, providing him with a valuable opportunity to showcase his skills and potential.

Oliver Bearman, a promising 19-year-old talent affiliated with the Ferrari Driver Academy, has been entrusted with the responsibility of filling in for Magnussen due to the latter's one-race ban. Magnussen's ban comes as a consequence of accumulating 12 penalty points on his superlicence within a span of 12 months, with the incident involving a collision with Pierre Gasly at the Italian Grand Prix being the tipping point.

For Bearman, this presents another chance to prove his worth on the Formula 1 stage, as he takes the wheel of the Haas car in Baku. His performance in this race could potentially influence his future prospects with the team, as it has been revealed that he is slated to drive for Haas full-time starting from the next season.

This strategic move by Haas not only provides Bearman with a platform to gain valuable experience at the highest level of motorsport but also signals the team's confidence in his abilities and potential for growth. As the young driver prepares to make his mark in the upcoming race, all eyes will be on him to see how he rises to the occasion and seizes the opportunity presented to him.

He has already taken part in a Pirelli tyre test at Silverstone driving the VF-24 and participated in four FP1 sessions for Haas this season at Imola, Barcelona, Silverstone and the Hungaroring. Bearman shot to prominence earlier in the year as he replaced Ferrari's Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix when the Spanish driver had appendicitis.

Bearman qualified in 11th position in Jeddah and drove to an impressive seventh-place finish, earning the plaudits.

Earlier in the season, Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu explained how he had been impressed by Bearman's professionalism, which convinced him to sign the youngster for 2025.

With a promising career ahead of him, Bearman's journey in Formula 1 is just beginning. His swift rise to the spotlight has not gone unnoticed, with fans and experts alike keeping a close eye on his performance. Being part of the prestigious Ferrari Driver Academy further solidifies his potential and showcases the trust top teams have in his abilities.

Stepping in for seasoned drivers like Kevin Magnussen and Carlos Sainz in crucial races speaks volumes about Bearman's talent and adaptability under pressure. His ability to seamlessly integrate into the Haas team and deliver strong results on the track is a testament to his dedication and skill.

As he gears up for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, all eyes will be on Bearman as he aims to make the most of this opportunity and leave a lasting impression on the Formula 1 community. The excitement surrounding his future in the sport is palpable, with many eager to see how he continues to evolve and excel in the competitive world of Formula 1 racing.

"He's got the most important thing in the paddock, speed. But in terms of him understanding the bigger picture, it is impressive, because he is a young guy, and when he drives for us in FP1, we tell him the team's objective for that week and to achieve that objective.

"We say 'this is your role, this is your programme and what you need to achieve for the team as well as yourself' and he is able to understand that very well.

"He understands how he can contribute to the bigger picture, which is not the case with all the young drivers.

"Sometimes you can tell them all those things and then they go out and try to set the quickest lap every single time. But you have to be a team player in F1, especially with limited testing programmes and opportunities.

"Also, before the event, his engagement with the team is also very good and after the event, his debrief after the learning is also very good, and he is able to provide the feedback we need.

"He is very calm and very positive as well. So he can bring a good vibe to the team and make everybody welcome him.

"Some drivers are driven but can be negative, and when it is working, it is OK when the results are coming, but when they aren't, it can be draining.

"I have had some drivers like that who are massively talented, a really good driver and are hard-working but drive the team, not in wrong way, but on the negative side. And Ollie is very positive, so it is uplifting and a positive factor.”

After the announcement, Bearman expressed that his experience in the Jeddah race would be extremely valuable for his second participation.

“It’s definitely more of a challenge stepping in to race as a reserve driver, with limited prep-time and so on, but I’m in the fortunate position of having done it earlier in the year with Scuderia Ferrari, so I can at least call on that experience,”He made a comment.

“I’ve also had four FP1 sessions with MoneyGram Haas F1 Team in the VF-24 already this season, so undoubtedly that will also prove to be valuable in tackling the full race weekend in Baku.

“The team is in good form at the moment and I’ll do my best to be prepared with the time we have available. The aim is to get out there and have a solid weekend in Azerbaijan.”

It is highly anticipated within the Formula 1 community that Kevin Magnussen will make a return to the Haas F1 Team's car for the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix, which is scheduled to take place towards the end of this month.