Kevin Magnussen will not be able to participate in the early hours of this Sao Paulo Grand Prix this Friday due to illness.
Ollie Bearman was called at short notice to replace him at the wheel of the Haas VF-24 in Brazil.
There is no confirmation yet on whether Magnussen will be able to return on Saturday, for qualifying for the race. Indeed, if Magnussen can return, it will only be after the Sprint race, that is to say directly for qualifying for the Grand Prix.
“Kevin Magnussen will not take part in Friday's practice session at the São Paulo Grand Prix due to illness,” Haas said in a statement.
“Official reserve driver Oliver Bearman will take over. The team wishes Kevin a speedy recovery and will provide an update in due course.”
Bearman is the team's official reserve driver, but he has also been confirmed in its racing seat for 2025.
The young Briton has already competed in two F1 Grands Prix this season – once for Ferrari and once for Haas F1.
He will gain even more valuable – and unexpected – experience behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car in Sao Paulo.
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix is a sprint weekend, meaning Bearman's duties on Friday will not follow the traditional routine.
He will first drive in a practice session, then in sprint qualifying and finally the Sprint race tomorrow.
In Azerbaijan, when Bearman drove the Haas, he set the 10th fastest time in Friday practice.
