Magnussen to miss Brazil GP sprint, Bearman steps in
Haas driver Kevin Magnussen will miss Friday running and Saturday’s sprint race at Formula 1’s Brazilian Grand Prix, with reserve driver Oliver Bearman taking over the Dane’s car.
On Friday morning Haas announced Magnussen was unwell and would not be able to drive the VF-24 at Interlagos all day.
“Kevin Magnussen will not participate in Friday’s track running at the São Paulo Grand Prix after suffering with sickness,” a statement from Haas said.
“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.”
As Brazil is a sprint weekend that means Magnussen will miss both Friday’s sole free practice session and sprint qualifying, meaning Bearman will also be in the Haas car for Saturday morning’s sprint race.
It remains to be seen if Magnussen can recover in time for Saturday afternoon qualifying for the grand prix.
Magnussen will still be eligible to take over his car again from Saturday’s grand prix qualifying onwards, provided he is passed fit.
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
An FIA statement explained: “In accordance with Article 32.2 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations, the Stewards grant permission for the driver, Oliver Bearman, with the car number 50, to participate in the 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix in place of Kevin Magnussen until further notice.
“The driver of car 50 is required to use the engine, gearbox and tyres which were allocated to the original driver, Kevin Magnussen as detailed under Article 32.5 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations.”
In any case, Saturday’s sprint race will be Bearman’s third competitive F1 outing and his second for Haas, after replacing Magnussen in Baku when the Danish driver sat out a one-race ban for accumulating too many penalty points.
Ferrari junior Bearman, who has been signed by Haas to step up to a full-time race seat in 2025, also deputised for Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in Saudi Arabia when the Spaniard was treated for appendicitis.
