MoneyGram Haas F1 Staff has signed Nice Britain’s Oliver Bearman to compete for the US squad on a multi-year contract starting with the 2025 FIA System 1 World Championship. The 19-year-old Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy member is at the moment an official reserve driver for the staff whereas contesting the FIA System 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 position as reserve driver for Scuderia Ferrari, made a memorable System 1 debut again in March in Saudi Arabia, substituting for the sidelined Carlos Sainz – in doing so, turning into the third-youngest racer in System 1 historical past. His mature efficiency from the then 18-year-old from Chelmsford noticed Bearman categorized 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 Staff – the one American staff competing in System 1, Bearman participated in two FP1 classes 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 Staff in January of this 12 months, Bearman’s work with the staff this season consists of six FP1 classes, 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, Staff Principal of MoneyGram Haas F1 Staff, mentioned: “It’s an thrilling factor to provide a younger driver as proficient as Oliver Bearman his first full-time seat in System 1. He’s developed into an extremely mature driver underneath the steering of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy. The world noticed that for themselves when he was referred to 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 classes over the previous two seasons.
We’re trying ahead to additional creating him as a driver and reaping the advantages of his expertise – each inside and out of doors of the automobile. Oliver’s an amazing man and a welcome addition to the staff when he joins us for the FP1 weekends. We all know the connection will likely be longer-term, and it’s optimistic for all involved.”
Gene Haas, Staff Proprietor of MoneyGram Haas F1 Staff, commented: “I’m happy we’ve been in a position to give Oliver Bearman this chance to drive full-time in System 1 – he’s undoubtedly an thrilling rookie prospect, not simply primarily based on what he confirmed in Saudi Arabia but in addition by way of his time creating his relationship with our staff. I’m excited to see how he grows as a driver, and we stay up for seeing him ship for the MoneyGram Haas F1 Staff subsequent season and past. That is an thrilling time for the staff. Oliver’s signing reveals we proceed to put money into expertise – each on and off-track – as we compete on the highest degree.”
Oliver Bearman acknowledged: “It’s arduous to say simply how a lot this implies to me. To say out loud that I will likely be a System 1 driver for the MoneyGram Haas F1 Staff 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 signify your staff. I’ve loved working with everybody for the reason that 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 getting ready me since F4 for this unbelievable alternative, and know I’ll give it every thing 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 Staff by way of the staff’s long-standing relationship with Scuderia Ferrari.
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Bearman, earlier than graduating into the FIA System 2 Championship in 2023 – the place he completed his rookie season sixth total within the Drivers’ Standings, gained the 2021 Italian F4 Championship and 2021 ADAC F4 Championship, and competed within the FIA System 3 Championship in 2022.
MoneyGram Haas F1 Staff sits seventh total within the Constructors’ Championship because the British Grand Prix, Spherical 12 of the 2024 FIA System 1 World Championship, is hosted at Silverstone Worldwide Circuit this weekend, Friday 5 – Sunday 7 July.
