Oliver Bearman states confidently that he doesn't require assistance from Kevin Magnussen to adapt to the Formula 1 world.
Despite Magnussen, 31, also facing uncertainty about his job at Haas beyond 2024, he recently mentioned that he wouldn't be looking to aid 18-year-old Bearman in acclimatizing to F1.
A British driver and now a frequent participant in Friday practices for Haas through his ties with Ferrari's F1 driver academy, Bearman recently turned heads by standing in for the ill Carlos Sainz at Ferrari with a point-scoring performance on debut, further solidifying his prospects for a full-time Haas seat in 2025 - replacing Nico Hulkenberg who is moving to Audi-Sauber.
Earlier this month, when asked about possibly having a very young teammate like Bearman next year, Magnussen, who is a father, remarked, "I'm not really here to take care of young people. I do that at home. Hopefully the driver in the other car is competent, professional and consistent, just like Nico has been. And we'll see if I'll be in the other one."
Addressing these comments in Monaco, Bearman affirmed his independence, "I don't need anyone to look after me. I can do that myself. My plan is simple - to be at the front in Formula 2 and show that I can be a title contender," he shared with Speed Week. "And to convince Haas in my six Friday practices that I'm the right man for them."
Despite a strong showing in Sainz's Ferrari at Jeddah, Bearman understands the uncertainties of securing a fixed spot in Formula 1.
"I know that just because I have a good race doesn't guarantee me a regular place in Formula 1," he expressed. "I have to earn it."
