P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu isn’t concerned by rookie Oliver Bearman’s limited qualifying prep during F1 pre-season testing thanks to the prowess he showed in 2024.
Bearman, a 19-year-old British racer, is classified as one of the five rookies heading into the 2025 season and already has three Grand Prix starts under his belt. In 2024, Bearman stepped in for Ferrari in Saudi Arabia and replaced Kevin Magnussen at Haas for races in Baku and Interlagos. Despite Haas’ focus on high fuel, long mileage stints during testing, their team principal Komatsu is impressed with Bearman’s qualifying performances, considering him more than just a rookie. Last year, Bearman showcased his potential by out-qualifying Nico Hulkenberg in qualifying sessions and demonstrating his skills during races. Bearman expressed his eagerness to unlock Haas’ one-lap potential and build on the team’s successful testing approach from the previous year. Haas’ strategic emphasis on high fuel and mileage testing aims to develop better tyre management capabilities compared to their previous season, and Komatsu stresses the importance of gathering crucial data that cannot be obtained during a regular race weekend.
