Guenther Steiner has been very complimentary of Oliver Bearman, who has been linked with a potential Haas F1 move.
Despite finishing at the bottom of the F1 standings last year, Haas F1 continue to be a huge talking point. The American team’s backwards trajectory captured F1 news headlines last year, but another talking point could take the forefront in 2024.
Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen, broadly speaking, maximised their machinery last season. Although the Danish driver’s performances were slightly lacklustre for some, he still secured three points finishes in the VF-23.
Hulkenberg was consistently brilliant in qualifying, but the limitations of his machinery became clear on Sundays.
The point being, few would suggest either is responsible for Haas finishing the 2023 season in 10th.
However, this doesn’t exempt Guenther Steiner’s team from transfer market discussions or F1 news headlines. If anything, their recent form will only fuel this scrutiny.
As confirmed relatively recently, Sauber (now known as Stake F1 Team) approached Nico Hulkenberg last summer. Although contractual obligations prevented a deal from happening, the links between the German and Sauber cannot be ignored.
This is especially true in light of Audi’s pending arrival, which could influence team selection.
Whilst Haas has become cautious about signing rookie drivers, Guenther Steiner has recently changed his tune.
Oliver Bearman can be credited with influencing this shift, with the 58-year-old team principal full of praise for the British driver:
“He did a good job and stayed very calm,” motorsport-magazin quotes Steiner as saying about his FP1 run.
“He behaved very maturely for an 18-year-old and also delivered a good performance in the car.
“He’s confident, but not overly confident; that’s a fine line.”
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Crucial year ahead
As a highly-rated Ferrari junior, Bearman will be one to watch in 2024.
He will compete against Kimi Antonelli for PREMA in one of the most anticipated Formula 2 seasons in recent memory.
Although there is a big step between Bearman’s current position and joining Formula 1, the obvious pathway to the grid via Haas cannot be ignored.
Amongst many things, success and failure in F1 are often defined by timing. Therefore, the 18-year-old will be hopeful to capitalise on a window of opportunity which could see an opening make itself available at Haas F1.
If he can show his potential, Ferrari could certainly nudge Guenther Steiner into signing him later this season.
