Ex-Haas boss Guenther Steiner says he would backtrack on his stance in opposition to rookies in F1 by signing Ferrari junior Oliver Bearman.
Bearman impressed on his F1 debut as a final minute substitute for Carlos Sainz eventually weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The 18-year-old British driver narrowly missed out on Q3 earlier than ending seventh on race day, beating Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton.
Steiner famously adopted a ‘no rookie’ stance after a tough spell when Haas – beneath his stewardship – fielded two rookies in Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin.
In Steiner’s closing season in control of Haas, the staff opted to signal veteran Nico Hulkenberg rather than Schumacher.
Writing in his column on F1’s official web site, Steiner says he would hand Bearman a race seat following his Jeddah herorics.
“Primarily based on his efficiency in Jeddah, after what I noticed from him at Haas, I’d put him in a race seat,” he wrote.
“Clearly, it relies on the circumstances and what seats can be found. It is advisable to see the entire panorama, however he can be a candidate.
“It isn’t 100% that he’ll succeed. It’s nonetheless a threat. However the best way he dealt with himself in qualifying and the race in Jeddah, having simply had one hour of observe, suggests the danger is a lot smaller.”
Steiner believes Bearman’s show will eradicate “lots of the doubts” over his degree of efficiency.
“For potential employers, that drive can have taken lots of doubts away of what he is ready to do,” he added.
“He’s in a very good place as on the finish of this yr, there are lots of contracts up with drivers, so he can put himself in good a place. He can’t go anyplace he desires, however I imagine there’s a couple of alternative for him.
“He has a contract with Ferrari, I don’t know the way lengthy it’s. Should you had been keen on him, you’d go and converse with Ferrari and see what they need to do and see if one thing will be achieved. You in fact must see what is occurring in your staff with the drivers. Would you like him or are you proud of what you’ve bought?
“I feel lots of groups will proactively have a look at him now after his efficiency final weekend. If I see the potential, different folks will see it as properly, so I feel there’s a good chance for him to get a seat subsequent yr.”
