“Alonso, with two titles, was allowed to take the rookie test and not me”

Olivier Bearman will debut as an official driver of The Haas F1 Team in 2025, but he had his baptism of fire this season, having to contest up to three races in his role as reserve driver within the American team and with Ferrari.

First I had to replace SO, when the Dane was penalized for exceeding the superlicense points limit, and later also . These three races mean that he is no longer considered a “rookie“, that is to say someone who has participated in two Grands Prix or less, so he will not be able to do the post-tests. season that F1 will take place on Tuesday December 10. in Abu Dhabi.

In one the young Briton regretted the lack of tests that drivers now have in F1 and the fact that having participated in three races prevents him from doing these tests, and he spoke of the moment when Fernando Alonso obtained special permission to do so in 2020 with Alpine after two years out of category.

“Even the other rookies have a day more than me, which I find really unfair. You know… Okay, I did three races, but I wasn't expected to do three races.” And yet, he is not an expert pilot. “Exactly. If we go back a few years ago, Alonso did the rookie test after winning two world championships. I only did two races, I scored twice and he has two world championships. world, but he passed the rookie test.”

“I have no right,” he continued. And he defended himself: it's a rookie test and the Pirelli test. But the Pirelli test… no, I wanted to take part in the rookie test, but apparently I'm not a rookie!

“Today in F1 the testing is very limited, and for me it has been very useful to have competed with F2 on so many tracks, but I am missing a few. And my performance in Brazil showed me that I can perform even when it's a new piece so I feel very confident.

Haas drivers for Abu Dhabi 2024 F1 testing

In place of Bearman, Haas has set its lineup for post-season testing in Abu Dhabi. Esteban Ocon will be your beginner pilot for the Pirelli testafter reaching the . The Frenchman had to accept the condition placed on him Flavio Briatore and although Haas claimed to have permission, this could only be confirmed when it was official that he would be leaving Alpine early.

Whoever takes part in the tests as a Haas rookie will be the driver of inside World Endurance Championship, . This choice is part of the and before that, Hirakawa will participate in FP1 in Abu Dhabi as a replacement Oscar Piastri In McLaren F1since it is part of the British brand's driver development program.