No normal rookie – Haas excited about potential of ‘mature’ teen Oliver Bearman
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Team principal Ayao Komatsu believes Oliver Bearman is no “normal rookie” and has backed the British driver to help push Haas forward this season. Bearman will begin his first full Formula One campaign at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 16 as part of an all-new Haas driver line-up alongside Frenchman Esteban Ocon.
The 19-year-old competed in three races last season, finishing seventh on debut when deputising for the ill Carlos Sainz at Ferrari before twice stepping in for Haas’ Kevin Magnussen. Komatsu feels that Bearman’s experience belies his age and is excited about his potential.
“We are not treating Ollie as a rookie driver, he has got such a mature head on his shoulders and he can offer a lot,” Komatsu said. “He has experience despite his young age and of course he has been exposed to the Ferrari side of things as well.
“He has been learning a lot pretty quickly. In terms of development stage he is not like a normal rookie and he already has a lot to offer to us. We are really excited about that. “What we are looking for, he has only done two races with us and one at Ferrari so it is that consistency across many races – it is a tough season – to perform week in week out.
“We are looking for that consistency and determination to push the team forward as well as himself.”. Bearman is still a Ferrari development driver and, with Lewis Hamilton about to begin his career with the Scuderia at the age of 40 there is belief that Bearman could be the long-term successor.
