Haas confirm Oliver Bearman and Pietro Fittipaldi as reserve drivers for 2024
Formula One's sole American outfit Haas has confirmed F2 driver Oliver Bearman and IndyCar racer Pietro Fittipaldi as their reserve drivers for the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
Bearman made his Formula 1 weekend debut with Haas in 2023 as he participated in two FP1 sessions in Mexico and Abu Dhabi. The member of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy also participated in November’s end-of-season test at Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi alongside Fittipaldi. The four-time FIA F2 winner will also fulfill a reserve role with Scuderia Ferrari as he returns to the series in 2024 driving once again for Prema Racing.
In addition to his reserve driver role, Bearman has been confirmed to participate in six FP1 sessions for MoneyGram Haas F1 Team in 2024, including the Emilia Romagna, the Spanish, British, Hungarian, Mexico City and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix.
Expanding on the announcement, Bearman commented; “I’m really happy to be part of MoneyGram Haas F1 Team for the upcoming season. 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.”
Fittipaldi will enter his sixth season with the team as the Brazilian is set to combine his reserve role duties alongside a full-time drive competing for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in the 2024 IndyCar Series. Fittipaldi has started in two F1 races, both with Haas back in 2020, and has fulfilled multiple Formula 1 test duties for the Kannapolis-based squad since joining the team.
“I’m happy and proud to be going into my sixth season with MoneyGram Haas F1 Team,” stated Pietro 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.”
Take a look around our new livery for the 2024 season 🇺🇸#HaasF1 #VF24 pic.twitter.com/UUQiebJNTj
— MoneyGram Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) February 2, 2024
Speaking of the announcement, Haas's freshly-appointed team principal Ayao Komatsu said: I’m pleased to have both Oliver Bearman and Pietro Fittipaldi as our reserve drivers. 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. We’re excited he’s landed a full-time IndyCar ride this season, so he can do what he loves to do – and that’s to race, but he’s there for us too as part of the Haas family.”
