Steiner issues Bearman 'reality check' warning

Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner has stated Oliver Bearman is in for a “reality check” during his Haas outing at Baku later this month.

At the Italian Grand Prix last weekend, Kevin Magnussen was issued his 12th penalty point in 12 months, resulting in an automatic ban.

Haas has since confirmed that Bearman will stand in for the Dane ahead of the rookie driver's full-time switch to the team next year.

Bearman made his F1 debut in March when he was called up by Ferrari at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to substitute for an unwell Carlos Sainz.

However, Steiner warned it will be a much different situation this time around for Bearman with a less competitive F1 car underneath him.

“Ollie was the obvious choice to stand-in for him at Haas,” Steiner wrote in his column for F1.com. It’s also going to be a reality check.

“Jumping in a Ferrari is one thing, jumping in one that isn’t doing podiums is a different thing to get your head around.

“But it’s good for him to get in the car ahead of his full-time debut with the team next year. He did a great job for Ferrari in Saudi Arabia and I’m sure he’ll do a good job in Baku – and then next season.”

Steiner unsurprised by Magnussen F1 ban

Magnussen's race ban was issued despite a strong race at Monza, where he scored a 10th place result after making contact with Pierre Gasly, which resulted in taking his penalty point tally into exclusion territory. 

Steiner insisted Magnussen's ban was unsurprising as the 31-year-old has been just two points away from a suspension since May.

“Kevin did a good job at Monza [having crossed the line in 10th]. When he is in a position to score something, he stands up behind the wheel. When he’s motivated, he’s a very good driver. 

“Now he gets some free time off with this race ban! It was highly possible that he would get a ban before the end of the year because he was so close to the penalty point limit.

“Is he happy about the ban? No. Was it unexpected? No. He did too many things in the beginning of the year, which maybe he shouldn’t have done.

“This one wasn’t actually that bad but if you get a penalty – you get points as well.”