Bearman to replace unwell Magnussen for Friday running at Brazilian GP · RaceFans

Oliver Bearman will return to drive for Haas in place of Kevin Magnussen on Friday at Interlagos, Haas have confirmed.

Magnussen, who participated in media activities at the track yesterday, is “suffering with sickness”, according to the team.

Bearman is the team’s reserve driver and will join their full-time line-up next year. He also races in Formula 2 for Prema.

He has already raced in two grands prix this season. Bearman made his debut at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in March, driving for Ferrari in place of Carlos Sainz Jnr.

Bearman then drove for Haas in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku in September, taking over from Magnussen as he served a one-race ban. The teenager impressed on both occasions, scoring points with seventh place on his debut and 10th in Baku.

He has also driven the VF-24 in Friday practice session at Imola, Barcelona, Silverstone and Hungary. He was in action in last weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix as well, driving Ferrari’s SF-24 in Friday practice.

As this is a sprint race weekend, Bearman will take part in a single hour of practice and then qualifying for tomorrow’s first race. Haas is yet to confirm who will drive tomorrow. “The team wishes Kevin a quick recovery and will provide a further update in due course,” it said in a statement.

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F1 revised its rules on driver changes during race weekends this year when it made its most recent alterations to the sprint event format.

As Bearman will take part in the sprint race qualifying session, he will also take part in the sprint race. F1’s rules state that the driver who participates in Sunday’s grand prix must take part in Saturday’s qualifying session, leaving open the possibility for Magnussen to return this weekend.