In the early stages of the current Formula 1 season, there has been a significant amount of negativity surrounding the sport. Red Bull’s off-field issues have overshadowed their dominance on the track, and there have been controversies involving the FIA. However, amidst all the unpleasantness, there is a new F1 driver who is sure to become a fan favorite – Oliver Bearman.
At just 18 years old, Bearman made his unexpected F1 debut in Saudi Arabia. This opportunity arose due to an appendicitis that affected Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz after the initial practice sessions. Fortunately, Sainz underwent successful surgery and was able to be present in the paddock on Saturday. However, this left team boss Frederic Vasseur with the challenge of finding a substitute driver for the high-pressure race.
Fortunately, reserve driver Bearman was already in town competing in Formula 2. Despite securing pole position in the F2, Bearman was willing to forego his weekend in the lower category for the chance to race in F1. He saw this as an opportunity to showcase his talent and prove he deserves a place in the sport.
As a result, Bearman became the youngest driver in Ferrari’s F1 history and the third youngest driver in the sport’s history to debut. Born after the era of Michael Schumacher and during Fernando Alonso’s first championship, Bearman represents the youthful energy and excitement that F1 fans crave.
The task ahead of him could not have been more daunting. With just one practice session to familiarize himself with the vibrant red SF-24 before the qualifying phase at the formidable and fast Jeddah Corniche Circuit, all eyes of the global media were on him, as well as the iconic team uniform on his back. However, defying his tender age, Bearman exceeded expectations.
“Definitely, I wasn’t ready at 18,” exclaimed seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. But Bearman was. He quickly found his rhythm in FP3, surprising the paddock by narrowly missing out on a spot in the top 10 during qualifying. Due to a disrupted and chaotic Q2 session, the 18-year-old had only one chance to put in a flawless lap, and he achieved the 11th fastest time, trailing Hamilton by just 0.036 seconds. This earned him praise from the F1 elite, including other champions.
“To come in with not much practice, like he did, was incredible. I’m really impressed,” said Hamilton. “It just shows his immense talent. I know how challenging it was, but he gained confidence immediately.”
“To finish 11th, just six tenths of a second behind pole position, is more than anyone could expect from him,” added Max Verstappen.
At 42 years old, more than double Bearman’s age, Alonso stated: “He is an exceptional driver, incredibly talented. This is not an easy track to debut on, but he performed exceptionally well today, and I believe he will have a strong race tomorrow.”
Alonso’s prediction proved correct. Over 50 laps at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Bearman faced the pressure of his first F1 start, made pit stops during a chaotic Safety Car period (caused by a rookie mistake from Lance Stroll), battled rivals, and put in consistent laps to withstand a late challenge from Lando Norris, who was on soft tires. Bearman thrived in these conditions, climbing from 11th to 7th place and earning a solid number of points in the Grand Prix. Bearman did more than just perform well… he was exceptional.
In an impressive display of skill, Bearman showed his calm and expertise behind the wheel of an F1 car, making calculated overtakes against formidable opponents like Nico Hulkenberg and Zhou Guanyu. While fans were left disheartened by another predictable domination from Red Bull, Bearman offered a refreshing narrative and brought hope during an otherwise monotonous F1 weekend. The Driver of the Day award was rightfully bestowed upon this rising British F1 star, with an overwhelming majority recognizing his exceptional talent.
Teammate Charles Leclerc wholeheartedly acknowledged Bearman’s well-deserved victory, stating: “He really deserves [the Driver of the Day award]. Seventh place in his Formula 1 debut, having only participated in FP3 with a new car, is truly impressive. His immense talent did not go unnoticed, and it’s only a matter of time before he joins us in Formula 1.”
When asked about his chances of securing a permanent spot on the F1 grid, Bearman humbly admitted: “I don’t know what more I can do, as I don’t believe I’ll be in F1 for the rest of the year. My goal was to put on a remarkable performance this weekend, and I believe I did a decent job. That’s all I can do – continue to stand out in F2 and hope for the best.”
Based on this exceptional audition, there are few reasons to oppose granting Bearman a full-time spot on the 2025 grid, even if his involvement in F1 remains limited to a testing role until then.
© 2024
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