Bearman stepped in for Carlos Sainz from the third free practice onward at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to Sainz’s appendicitis surgery.
Despite having only a single one-hour practice session on a challenging high-speed track, the 18-year-old showcased immediate competitiveness and narrowly missed out on reaching Q3.
Starting from 11th on the grid, he engaged in battles with Yuki Tsunoda and Nico Hulkenberg, securing an impressive seventh-place finish with a strong and consistent performance in the latter part of the race.
Having made his debut in two FP1 sessions for Haas last year, Bearman was appointed as a reserve driver for both Ferrari and Haas for the 2024 season.
Assessing Bearman’s performance in Jeddah, Haas chief Komatsu expressed satisfaction, stating, “Amazing… So I’m very, very happy for him, and [he was] impressive.”
While acknowledging Bearman’s potential for a full-time F1 seat in 2025, Komatsu emphasized that securing a spot with Haas is not guaranteed for the young driver.
In Saudi Arabia, Kevin Magnussen’s robust defensive drive facilitated teammate Nico Hulkenberg’s clinching of Haas’ first point of the campaign in 10th place. Considering these performances, Komatsu deemed it “very unfair” to exclusively highlight Bearman as the future driver for the team, indicating satisfaction with the current lineup.
Reflecting on Bearman’s capabilities, Komatsu recalled his impressive displays during his time with Haas in Mexico and Abu Dhabi FP1 sessions. He noted Bearman’s exceptional talent, not only in terms of speed but also in understanding objectives and demonstrating maturity beyond his years.
Bearman is set to resume his F2 campaign in Melbourne after missing the Jeddah races. He will remain available for reserve driver duties in case Sainz’s recovery from surgery is not yet complete.
Also read: Haas F1 Says “We’re Ready to Race” After Impressive Bahrain GP
