Haas can no longer field Oliver Bearman in the Abu Dhabi post-Formula 1 season test as he is no longer classified as a rookie driver.
The post-season F1 test at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina circuit permits one senior driver and one rookie can participate for each team.
To be classified as a rookie for FP1 and testing sessions, a driver cannot compete in more than two Grands Prix.
Bearman is now ruled out of participating thanks to his stand-in at Ferrari for Carlos Sainz in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and two stand-ins for Kevin Magnussen at Haas.
After taking part in the Azerbaijan GP while the Dane served a race ban, Bearman was called in at the 11th hour to participate in the Sao Paulo GP after Magnussen fell ill.
Who could Haas replace Bearman with for the post-season test?
Haas has already filled its senior driver slot for the post-season test with incoming driver Esteban Ocon.
Ocon is joining the American outfit on a multi-year deal from Alpine and Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu confirmed the test “will be the first time Esteban drives our car, which is important because the regulations are stable.
“Next year’s car is an evolution of this year’s car, so it is good he tests this car before January to see the strengths and weaknesses and have input that we can still work on in development.”
Haas’ options to replace Bearman at the test are limited.
Its relationship with Ferrari gives Haas access to the Scuderia’s Driver Academy, which has recently seen Robert Shwartzman depart ahead of a move to IndyCar with PREMA.
The most senior driver left within the Scuderia Academy set-up is Dino Beganovic, who has only just graduated from FIA Formula 3 level.
Haas does have Pietro Fittipaldi on its books as a Reserve Driver and the Brazilian is still eligible as a rookie after competing in two GPs in 2020.
In addition, Haas could lean on its technical alliance with Toyota as the Japanese marque will be lending its drivers for the American outfit’s Testing of Previous Car (TPC) programme.
Bearman’s next Haas outing will come soon, with Komatsu confirming “we’re going to do TPC in January, before the season starts with our new race drivers.”
The teenager could still participate in the post-season test if Ferrari elects to utilise him as the senior driver alongside a rookie.
One driver who won’t be selected as senior by the Scuderia in Abu Dhabi is Lewis Hamilton, whose debut in red will be delayed as he is committed to sponsorship duties with Mercedes for the remainder of 2024.
Instead, Hamilton’s Ferrari debut will likely come in the 2022 machine early next year.
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