Ferrari reserve driver Oliver Bearman returns to F1-75 after impressive debut
After making his Formula 1 Grand Prix debut in Saudi Arabia, Ferrari reserve driver Oliver Bearman is once again behind the wheel of the team’s 2022 car, the F1-75. Bearman replaced Carlos Sainz, who was unable to participate in the race last weekend due to appendicitis. Despite his limited experience, the 18-year-old British driver showcased his talent by coming very close to securing a top-ten spot in qualifying and finishing seventh in the Grand Prix. Bearman attributes his success to the rigorous training provided by Ferrari’s reserve program, which allowed him to adapt perfectly to the demands of the race. He also credits his previous testing sessions in the 2022 and 2021 Ferrari cars for helping him quickly find his pace on track. Today, Bearman continues to test the F1-75 in Fiorano as part of Ferrari’s ongoing car testing program.
Bearman will take part in six FP1 sessions with Haas throughout the year, in addition to his involvement in Ferrari’s previous testing program for the F1-75. Jock Clear, head of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy, emphasizes the importance of combining training sessions and tests for the development of young drivers in the 2022 ground-effect cars. Clear acknowledges the challenges of on-track testing in the current regulations, which limit the time young drivers can spend on the track. Despite this, Bearman has had opportunities to familiarize himself with previous cars through tests in Barcelona and Fiorano, as well as participating in end-of-season tests in Abu Dhabi. Bearman’s focus during track tests has been to ensure he understands key aspects of driving, such as starts, pit stops, and radio communication. Clear highlights Bearman’s ability to handle the complexities of an F1 car, especially the movable steering wheel, as a testament to his education and development in recent years.
