Oliver Bearman will replace an unwell Kevin Magnussen at Haas during Friday’s opening running at the Formula 1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The Dane has been struck down by an unspecified sickness, and the American squad’s reserve driver will take his place for the day.
As Bearman will be in the car for the qualifying session for Saturday’s Sprint Race, the Englishman will also be required to drive in the race, with Magnussen hopeful of returning for qualifying for the Grand Prix on Sunday.
Bearman has partaken in multiple FP1 sessions for Haas already this season and raced for them in Azerbaijan when Magnussen was serving a one-race ban, finishing 10th.
A statement released by Haas said: “MoneyGram Haas F1 Team driver Kevin Magnussen will not participate in Friday’s track running at the São Paulo Grand Prix after suffering with sickness.
“Official reserve driver Oliver Bearman will take over driving duties. The team wishes Kevin a quick recovery and will provide a further update in due course.”
Bearman, who impressed with seventh place in his impromptu F1 debut with Ferrari in Saudi Arabia, will drive for Haas full-time from next year, partnering Esteban Ocon in an all-new line-up for the team, with both men hoping to benefit from a new technical alliance with Toyota.
Haas, who replaced longstanding Team Principal Günther Steiner with Ayao Komatsu in the close season, has recently seen an upturn in fortunes, with at least one of its cars finishing in the points in the last five races.
Last time out in Mexico, Magnussen and team-mate Nico Hülkenberg managed to achieve a double-points finish, finishing seventh and ninth respectively.
Heading into Brazil, the team sits sixth in the Constructors’ Championship on 46 points, 10 ahead of RB.
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