Ferrari had a strategy to propel Ollie Bearman to Formula 1. However, their plan did not involve the 18-year-old making his debut for Ferrari in 2024. Bearman’s status as Ferrari’s top junior driver and his evident potential meant that it was always a possibility for him to follow in the footsteps of Charles Leclerc and race for Ferrari in F1 one day. Unexpectedly, Bearman achieved this several years earlier than planned, posing an interesting dilemma for Ferrari. Is the original plan for Bearman still sufficient?
Despite finishing seventh in Saudi Arabia, Bearman’s performance did not change Ferrari’s perception of him. Ferrari was already aware of his potential, as was Haas after Bearman’s impressive work in last year’s Friday practice sessions. Therefore, it is very likely that Bearman will secure a place at Haas in 2025 and 2026.
After witnessing Bearman’s skills firsthand in Jeddah, Leclerc stated that it is only a matter of time before Bearman permanently joins F1. There is no doubt about it, and it is expected to happen by 2025 at the latest. However, the details beyond that are uncertain.
Initially, Ferrari did not intend to give Bearman a full-time race seat in the near future. The plan was to keep Carlos Sainz alongside Leclerc in the upcoming seasons and then hire Lewis Hamilton for 2025. Regardless of the path chosen by Ferrari, Bearman was not part of their short-term plans. Ferrari wanted Bearman to win Formula 2 this year, gain experience with another F1 team for a few seasons, and then be called up to be Leclerc’s partner once he proved his worth.
Bearman has progressed towards this goal. Now that he has showcased his skills to a larger audience, the situation has become less straightforward. This raises questions for Haas, as another team may be interested in securing a loan for Bearman. It also presents a complication for Ferrari if they do not have a more competitive option for Bearman in the coming years and other teams are aware of his talent.
However, Ferrari will be delighted with Bearman’s debut in F1 and will not immediately worry about what to do with such a valuable asset. For now, Ferrari has indicated that nothing will change and Bearman’s main focus should remain on Formula 2. He needs to concentrate on closing the gap in the championship.
Ironically, Bearman had to give up his commitments in F2 in Jeddah, where he had secured pole position, to make his debut in F1. This means he is now at the bottom of the championship, despite starting the year with the goal of winning it to secure his F1 debut.
Vasseur, the team principal, emphasized the importance of not jumping to conclusions and stated that Bearman will have other opportunities to test the car and participate in training sessions throughout the season. The main focus remains on F2, as Bearman faces a significant challenge in this championship.
Arguably, Bearman’s debut in F1 in Saudi Arabia has accelerated his path to a full-time position in the future. However, the question remains: should he continue to be patient, improve, and see where he will be in a few years?
Bearman may be too talented to follow this path. Ferrari replaced Kimi Raikkonen with Leclerc after just one season in F1. However, Hamilton is not Raikkonen. He is a high-profile signing who is likely to perform better than Raikkonen did in 2018, when Ferrari made that decision.
This is not about Ferrari blocking Bearman’s path by signing Hamilton. Currently, Ferrari’s lineup for 2025 and 2026 is exceptional. However, it is a relevant factor in how Ferrari manages Bearman’s development, while ensuring he remains a long-term option for the team.
Spending a few years at Haas, competing in the midfield, would be acceptable. However, spending a few years at Haas level in 2023 would be a waste. It is highly unlikely that Ferrari will part ways with Hamilton or suddenly decide that Leclerc is not worth it after just 2025. Furthermore, if the Hamilton/Leclerc duo continues to excel in 2026, Ferrari will likely want to keep them.
Mercedes learned from their experience of loaning George Russell to Williams for three years that such a move can lose its value quickly, even if there is always something to be learned. A more appropriate comparison may be the Alpine/McLaren saga involving Oscar Piastri in 2022. It demonstrated what can happen when a highly regarded driver lacks clarity and support from their parent team. Young drivers need to be patient to a certain extent, but it can go wrong if they are simply placed somewhere without a clear path to something bigger.
Bearman should ideally have a clearer path to Ferrari and stronger support from his parent team than Piastri had from Alpine. Therefore, the timeline should still be acceptable, and a two-year learning experience at Haas should work. The most important thing for Ferrari is to ensure that Bearman understands that he will not spend the next few years waiting for an opportunity that may never come.
If Ferrari does not respond appropriately to Bearman’s impressive debut, he will not lack interested alternatives.
© 2024
The Brazilian soccer team achieved an impressive victory in the final of the World Championship. The Brazilian players demonstrated exceptional skills throughout the match, leaving fans in ecstasy. With a final score of 3-1, Brazil was crowned world champions.
The match started with a quick goal from Brazil, scored by the talented forward Neymar. This goal set the tone for the rest of the game, with Brazil dominating possession and creating several goal-scoring opportunities. The defense was also impeccable, thwarting the attacks of the opposing team.
In the second half, Brazil extended their lead with two more goals. Philippe Coutinho scored a beautiful goal from outside the box, showcasing his skill and precision. Shortly after, Gabriel Jesus completed an incredible play, finishing perfectly and securing the third Brazilian goal.
The opposing team managed to score a consolation goal in the final minutes, but it was not enough to change the outcome of the match. Brazil celebrated the victory with much fanfare and emotion, with the players lifting the trophy as world champions.
This achievement marks a historic moment for Brazilian soccer and fills the country’s fans with pride. The team showed talent, determination, and grit throughout the entire championship, proving that they are deserving of the title.
Now, Brazilian players will be welcomed as heroes in their homeland. The expectation is for a big party to celebrate this unforgettable achievement. Brazil has shown the world that it is a powerhouse in football and that its team is capable of beating the best teams in the world.
This victory will certainly stay in the memory of football fans and will be remembered for many years. Brazil has once again proved that it is a nation passionate about football and that it has talented players capable of reaching glory. Congratulations to the Brazilian team for the exceptional performance and for winning the world championship.
