Oliver Bearman testing at Suzuka ahead of 2025: "It was very useful for me"

The official practice and "Rookie Test" sessions for the 2024 Japanese Super Formula Championship took place from December 11 to 13 at the Suzuka circuit. The first two days were dedicated to official Super Formula tests without driver restrictions, while the third day was dedicated to the "Rookies". It was in this last category that we found a certain Oliver Bearman.

A presence made possible thanks to Haas, his team from 2025, so that the Englishman can discover the circuit in advance and be ready when the F1 will go there next April (4-6). On site, the future teammate ofEsteban Ocon had two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, each lasting 1h30. He took the wheel of Team KCMG's car No. 7 for a total of 43 laps and the 3rd best time on Friday in 1'36“940, just under 9 tenths of the reference set by Igor Fraga (1'36“077).

« Like Haas and Toyota working together, they offered me this test as a way to learn the track, Suzuka, and it was very useful to me today, Oliver Bearman confided on site.

The run was shorter than we expected and we did fewer laps than we planned. But I still enjoyed it. I felt like I was getting to know the track, which was the main goal, and I was really happy to drive on it. It is very specific. There are some things that you don't necessarily notice like the bumps or the wind. The roughness of the circuit makes the tyres overheat very quickly, so it is important to control that. I learned a lot from the long runs in the afternoon but also from the short runs in the morning. It was very useful and I really enjoyed it..

Sector 1 is very difficult, very fast, and you need a lot of confidence in the car. I really enjoyed myself, it’s such an iconic part of the track, and the most interesting for the driver. »

During the afternoon session, Oliver Bearman was unable to take full advantage of the new tyres due to a turbo problem. It was a shame not to try the new tyres in the afternoon because I really wanted to push but I couldn't with the turbo problem we had., he regretted. But I still learned the track. That's the main thing. »

In addition to Bearman, other foreign drivers were present such as James Hedley, Juan Manuel Correa, Oliver Rasmussen, and Zak O'Sullivan. As a reminder, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, sick, had to withdraw a few days ago.

Sacha Fenestraz, who competed in the Formula E with Nissan this year, also drove for the Tom's team. Super Formula driver Juju Noda this season did not take part in the testing. However, driver Miki Koyama was on track on Thursday.

The fastest time over the three days of testing was 1'35"597, set by Tadasuke Makino (Dandelion Racing/Honda) on the second day.

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