Oliver Bearman Replaces Banned Magnussen for Baku GP

Oliver Bearman will step in for Kevin Magnussen at Haas for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after officials issued a race ban to Magnussen for exceeding Formula 1’s penalty-point limit. The ban follows his collision with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly at the Italian Grand Prix which caused Magnussen to reach the threshold of 12 penalty points within a 12-month period. He becomes the first driver to face a ban under the penalty-points system since its introduction in 2013.

Bearman, 19, who has already signed with Haas for the 2025 season will compete in his second grand prix. He previously filled in for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari in Saudi Arabia earlier this year when Sainz missed the race due to appendicitis. Bearman impressed with a seventh-place finish, despite receiving limited practice time which helped him secure his future seat with Haas.

Bearman has already driven the Haas car in free practice sessions at the Emilia-Romagna, Spanish, British and Hungarian Grands Prix this season. Reflecting on the challenge of stepping in as a reserve driver, Bearman highlighted how his previous experience with Ferrari and multiple FP1 sessions with Haas will help him in the upcoming race in Baku.

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu expressed confidence in Oliver Bearman, stating that this race offers another valuable opportunity for both the driver and the team to collaborate over a full race weekend. Magnussen’s future in F1 remains uncertain, with his Haas seat potentially in jeopardy after this season.

Sauber might be his only option, as other teams such as Red Bull continue to evaluate different drivers including Liam Lawson for their available spots. Teams do not currently consider Magnussen for those roles.