Ollie Bearman, at just 18 years old, had a sensational introduction to Formula 1, catapulting him into the spotlight and injecting a burst of excitement into the previously lackluster start of the 2024 season. This achievement is fully deserved. It is commendable not only to recognize his exceptional performance in Jeddah, but also to speculate on his potential and what he could bring to teams like Ferrari or Haas. However, this task is fraught with uncertainties.
Bearman’s confident debut, with no previous experience in the car and missing two practice sessions (which is particularly challenging on a high-speed track with walls and blind corners), inevitably sparked debates about whether Formula 1 has become too easy. However, there is a counterargument that highlights the ruthless nature of the sport and emphasizes the need for caution when projecting Bearman’s future in grand prix racing.
While Bearman has undoubtedly earned his place in Formula 1, the question remains whether he has secured a successful career in the sport. In the past, we have seen rookie stand-ins excel and make a lasting impact. Stoffel Vandoorne’s unexpected debut in Bahrain, replacing the injured Fernando Alonso at McLaren, serves as a prime example. Vandoorne not only outperformed his teammate Jenson Button in qualifying, but also scored a point in his first race. This impressive performance, coupled with his dominant showing in the GP2 feeder series the year before, seemed to secure him a full season with McLaren. However, his subsequent struggles against Alonso ultimately led to his exit from Formula 1.
It is worth noting that Vandoorne had a solid junior record, perhaps even stronger than Bearman’s current record. However, this is not to diminish Bearman’s achievements. When comparing their junior careers, Vandoorne had notable successes in various championships, while Bearman is still establishing himself in Formula 2.
Vandoorne had the advantage of participating in practice sessions, unlike Bearman or Nyck de Vries. De Vries, who had some prior knowledge of the Williams FW44 from a practice session earlier in the season, managed to outperform his teammate Nicholas Latifi and score points. This success reminded the Formula 1 community of De Vries’ talent and potential. However, his performance declined in the following races and he ended up being overshadowed by Yuki Tsunoda.
None of this implies that Bearman will disappear in Formula 1 or that Ferrari should not invest in him. His exceptional performance in Jeddah, despite the lack of additional practice sessions, demonstrates his readiness for Formula 1. Furthermore, debuting with Ferrari, a team with a more adaptable car and extensive resources, is advantageous. However, it is important to recognize that a debut can be the highlight of a driver’s career and sustained success in Formula 1 is far from guaranteed.
Bearman’s ability to find those crucial tenths of a second on the grid remains uncertain. Although there is currently no reason to doubt his potential, Formula 1 cannot be certain of his future success.
© 2024
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