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Bearman and Fittipaldi named 2024 reserve drivers for Haas

The Haas F1 Team has confirmed Oliver Bearman and Pietro Fittipaldi as the US outfit’s official reserve drivers for the 2024 F1 season.

Bearman – a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy – made his F1 weekend debut with Haas last season when he took part in FP1 sessions in Mexico and in Abu Dhabi.

The 18-year-old British racer also participated in last November’s end-of-season test at Yas Marina alongside Fittipaldi.

A four-time winner in the 2023 FIA Formula 2 Championship, Bearman – who will also fulfill a reserve role with Scuderia Ferrari, returns to the series in 2024 driving once again for Prema Racing.

In addition to his Reserve Driver role, Bearman has also been handed six FP1 sessions with Haas this season, at Imola, Barcelona, Silverstone, Budapest, Mexico City and Abu Dhabi.

Read also: Haas tyre woes potentially linked to communication gaps

“I’m really happy to be part of MoneyGram Haas F1 Team for the upcoming season,” commented Bearman.

“I had a great experience last year working with everyone at the team and I’m looking forward to building on that this year.

“There are several events I’ll be doing FP1’s at – alongside the reserve duties, which is exciting. I’m grateful to Haas F1 Team and Scuderia Ferrari for their faith and for supporting me.”

As for Fittipaldi, the Brazilian enters his sixth year of collaboration with Haas and will dovetail his reserve role duties alongside a full-time drive with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in the 2024 IndyCar Series.

The 27-year-old is a two-time Grand Prix starter, having filled in for Romain Grosjean in the final two races of the 2020 season.

“I’m happy and proud to be going into my sixth season with MoneyGram Haas F1 Team,” stated Fittipaldi.

“I’m looking forward to continuing our work in development and supporting the team in the best way I can throughout the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.”

Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal of Haas said: “Oliver did a tremendous job for us last season settling in well and working through both his FP1 run programs in Mexico and Abu Dhabi and then with his test program.

“We’re looking forward to giving him the opportunity for more outings in FP1 in 2024 – with testing at a premium this is key running time, both for us to evaluate Oliver’s progress but also to enable him seat time in a Formula 1 car.

“Having Pietro with us for a sixth season is valuable as he again provides continuity and he’s been a great contributor to our program over the years – both on and off-track.”

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.