It will be Kevin Magnussen who will give up his Haas to Oliver Bearman during the first free practice session at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The American team had already confirmed the F2 driver would deputise for Magnussen or team-mate Nico Hulkenberg on six occasions in practice this year - and Imola FP1 was already known to be the first of those sessions. However, it was not previously known who would be the first to make way for the British driver, who took part in two practice sessions for the team last season, in Mexico and Abu Dhabi. The Ferrari junior made his F1 debut at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, taking over for Carlos Sainz at the Scuderia, after the Spaniard had to have surgery for appendicitis. He impressed en route to seventh-place and is expected to replace the outgoing Hulkenberg at Haas next season. Magnussen's F1 future, however, is looking more precarious. Despite his team-mate moving on to Stake for the Audi project, his future with Haas is still not guaranteed. He has received a backlash in the paddock for his driving standards this year - which in part were in an attempt to benefit Haas and Hulkenberg - and is just two penalty points away from a race ban. Zhou Guanyu has recently emerged as the new favourite to partner Bearman in 2025, but neither of Haas' seats have been confirmed.
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