Haas F1 Team have a big decision to make for next season, as the dust settles following Oliver Bearman’s brilliant F1 debut.
Ayao Komatsu can be very positive about their start to the 2024 season. The American outfit is currently 6th in the standings, courtesy of a brilliant P10 result from Nico Hulkenberg in Saudi Arabia. However, there are still big-picture questions for Haas F1 to answer.
Throughout the winter break, Haas consistently downplayed expectations. Their newly appointed team principal, Komatsu, made clear that the VF-24 was unlikely to be competitive to start the season.
This low profile was maintained during pre-season testing, with Hulkenberg and Magnussen focusing almost exclusively on high-fuel runs.
However, the first race weekends in Bahrain and Jeddah seem proof that Haas is competitive. Critically, the VF-24 is able to manage its tyres over a race distance.
F1 News: Haas to evaluate Oliver Bearman
In addition to the team’s return to competitiveness, their driver line-up is again becoming a key talking point.
Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen worked very well to secure a vital point in round 2.
Considering Hulkenebrg’s brilliant performances since returning last year and Magnussen’s solid start to 2024, there is no reason to be dissatisfied with their driver pairing.
Ayao Komatsu made this clear post-race in Jeddah:
“He [Bearman] deserves a chance next year, I guess,” he told motorsport.com.
“Penalty aside, Kevin’s done fantastic today. Nico delivered as well. So how can I sit here and say, [Bearman will be] our driver for next year?
“Based on today’s performance – Nico and Kevin.”
Of course, this post-race reaction should not be taken as detrimental to Oliver Bearman’s F1 future.
After all, regardless of what Haas is planning for 2025, anything other than support for their drivers in Jeddah – given the context of their first points – would have been harsh.
In this sense, these comments from Ayao Komatsu are relatively standard.
For the Ferrari academy driver, there is little doubt across the paddock that he can compete at a high level in Formula 1.
On paper, Nico Hulkenberg is still a viable option for Sauber – a realistic move which could make a 2025 promotion for Bearman viable.
Despite this ideal scenario, several dominos still need to fall to open the F1 door for the British star.
This is not necessarily a cause for concern but, instead, a reminder that seats are extremely limited in modern F1.
Excluding the arrival of an 11th team (a scenario that seems doubtful at best), fine margins will determine whether young prospects can begin to have more opportunities on the grid.
