Haas impressed by Bearman, Ferrari wait on Sainz
Ayao Komatsu, Haas team boss, praised Oliver Bearman as "a total package" following the British teenager's impressive stand-in debut with Ferrari, which fueled speculation he would be in Formula One full-time next season.
The 18-year-old's obvious destination is Ferrari-powered Haas, who have a co-operation agreement with the Italian team and uses the Briton as a reserve.
Bearman jumped into the Ferrari for final practice and qualifying in Jeddah last Friday after Carlos Sainz underwent appendicitis surgery, qualifying 11th and finishing seventh on Saturday.
At the same time, Haas, who finished last overall in 2023 and replaced Guenther Steiner with Japanese engineer Komatsu, scored their first point of the season with Nico Hulkenberg in 10th.
Komatsu stated that it was like a win for Haas, but Bearman's accomplishment was also recognized.
"Last year when we ran him in FP1 (first practice) sessions in Mexico and Abu Dhabi straight away it was obvious that he’s a total package, he’s so impressive," he told Sky Sports.
"So I was very happy that we got him for six FP (practice)runs this year and very happy for him," he added of the youngest ever British F1 driver.
Hulkenberg, 36, and teammate Kevin Magnussen, 31, are out of contract at the end of the season.
Bearman stated after the race that he was looking forward to developing a relationship with Haas and getting more laps in.
"I hope I did a good job interview today," he said.
The Briton also has a Formula Two campaign to consider, with no points earned so far due to missing the Jeddah round despite qualifying first, while Barbadian Zane Maloney leads the standings with 47.
According to Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur, the youngster's primary focus for the rest of the season must be on Formula 2.
A second Formula One appearance in Melbourne in two weeks is not out of the question, but it is dependent on Sainz's recovery time.
"We’ll take a decision probably only in Melbourne," said Vasseur. "At least we know that with Ollie we have also a good reserve."
Sainz will rest and recover this week, and he can be counted on to make every effort to be in the car in Australia, having dragged himself out of the hospital the day after his surgery to attend the race at the Corniche circuit.
The Spaniard has already demonstrated that hope isn't always enough.
"He struggled a lot on Thursday in both sessions with a fever and stomach issues and at the end he was convinced that it would be much better the day after," recalled Vasseur.
"The day after he called me in the morning and said he would be here for the quali for sure. At 1130 he was in the hospital and it was quite clear we were not going in the right direction."
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