Kevin Magnussen Unable to Compete in Brazilian GP Sprint; Oliver Bearman to Drive

Kevin Magnussen of Haas F1 Team will miss the Brazilian Grand Prix sprint due to illness, with reserve driver Oliver Bearman stepping in. Magnussen’s absence includes Friday’s practice and sprint qualifying, and his potential return for Saturday’s Grand Prix qualifying hinges on his recovery. The FIA has approved Bearman’s participation in accordance with regulations, allowing him to use Magnussen’s allocated equipment.

Kevin Magnussen, the driver for Haas F1 Team, will be absent from the Brazilian Grand Prix’s sprint event following health issues. Reserve driver Oliver Bearman has been appointed to take over driving responsibilities during this period. Haas announced that Magnussen is unwell and will not be participating in Friday’s track sessions, including the official practice and sprint qualifying. Bearman will pilot the VF-24 and is set to drive for both the free practice session and the sprint race scheduled for Saturday. The team expressed their support for Magnussen by wishing him a swift recovery. Regarding the regulations, the FIA has permitted Bearman to compete in the 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix under Article 32.2 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations, stipulating he must utilize the same engine, gearbox, and tires initially allocated to Magnussen. This will be Bearman’s third competitive outing in Formula 1 and his second with Haas, as he previously filled in for Magnussen during a suspension in Baku earlier in the season. Bearman is contracted to Haas and is anticipated to move to a full-time race seat in the 2025 season. The situation surrounding Magnussen’s health raises the question of whether he will be fit to resume driving duties for Saturday afternoon’s Grand Prix qualifying session, as he would be eligible to return if medically cleared.

The Brazilian Grand Prix hosts a sprint race format on select weekends, which alters the usual schedule of practices and qualifications. In such events, the absence of a primary driver can significantly impact the team’s strategy and performance, particularly in the sprint qualifying and race. Reserve drivers like Oliver Bearman often step in during such instances, presenting an opportunity for young talent to gain valuable experience in competitive F1 scenarios. The collaboration between F1 teams and the FIA also ensures that regulations pertaining to driver substitutions are clearly defined, maintaining fairness in competition.

In summary, Kevin Magnussen’s withdrawal from the Brazilian Grand Prix’s sprint event due to illness results in Oliver Bearman stepping in as his replacement. The FIA has granted Bearman the authority to drive under the current regulations, and Haas F1 Team is supporting Magnussen in his recovery efforts. This situation reflects both the challenges of the sprint race format and the opportunity for reserve drivers to showcase their skills in Formula 1.

Original Source: www.autosport.com