Imagine debuting in Formula 1 for Ferrari at the last minute, delivering an exceptional performance, and being recognized as deserving a spot in F1. However, you are then required to return to a Formula 2 car as your main focus for the rest of 2024. It is a significant drop from the incredible highs experienced by Ollie Bearman. Despite this setback, Bearman will have the opportunity to participate in six F1 free practice sessions with Haas later this year, in addition to additional tests with Ferrari.
Unfortunately, Bearman’s F2 team, Prema, had a disastrous start to the season, and Bearman missed out on extra points for pole position and potential high-scoring results in Saudi Arabia. As a result, he is currently 47 points behind leader Zane Maloney after just four races, with no points to his name. Even if Bearman were to achieve a perfect score in the third round in Melbourne this weekend, it would not be enough to surpass Maloney in the F2 standings. However, team boss Rene Rosin remains optimistic, stating that “anything is possible” in this campaign.
To surpass Maloney and win the championship, Bearman would need to outscore him by two points per race for the rest of the season. It will be an extremely difficult task, but not impossible. Despite the 47-point difference, there are still 468 points available. Previous F2/GP2 champions, such as Mick Schumacher and George Russell, have overcome similar points deficits to claim the title in the past.
Regardless of his chances in the fight for the title, Bearman has already proven that he is more than ready for an opportunity in F1 in 2025. According to Rosin, Bearman has consistently performed well since joining Prema in Formula 3, fighting for wins and championships. He was one of the top rookies in F2 last year, winning races in challenging conditions. Rosin expresses his confidence in Bearman’s abilities, stating that he did an “amazing job” during his F1 debut and emphasizing the need for him to focus again on Formula 2.
Prema had a disappointing start to the season in Bahrain, a track that historically presents challenges for the team. However, Rosin believes they have progressed since then and hopes that Melbourne will be a benchmark race where they can demonstrate their improvement. He attributes the difficulties in Bahrain to setup decisions and the unique characteristics of the track. Despite the setbacks, Rosin remains optimistic and states that there is no reason for concern or drama. The team has worked hard to correct their mistakes and has seen positive results in Jeddah.
In addition to Bearman, his teammate in F2, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, has also attracted significant attention as a promising young driver. Antonelli and Bearman made their F2 debuts at 17 years old. Although their career paths have been similar, with both spending some time in F4, Bearman’s transition to FIA F3 and Antonelli’s participation in the Formula Regional European Championship have set them apart. Antonelli faces additional pressure due to speculation that he could replace Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari if he performs well in F2. Despite this pressure, Antonelli has shown promise and has already scored his first point in F2.
The start of Antonelli’s season has been challenging, with a disappointing result in Bahrain and mixed performances in Jeddah. However, it is important to consider the differences in experience and the learning curve he faces. Coming from Formula Regional cars, Antonelli is adapting to the highest level of performance, aerodynamic dynamics, tire degradation, and other factors in F2. Additionally, he had not driven on the first three tracks of the calendar before competing in F2. Despite these challenges, Antonelli’s potential is evident, and it is expected that he will improve as he becomes more familiar with the circuits.
Rosin is pleased with Antonelli’s progress and acknowledges the significant gap he is filling in terms of performance and car preparation. He believes that Antonelli’s true potential will shine through as he becomes more familiar with the circuits in Europe and applies the lessons learned in the first part of the season.
Although Prema has had a challenging start to the season, it would be unwise to underestimate their capabilities. The team has a solid track record and has already produced many drivers who have gone on to compete in F1. The focus now is on Bearman’s ability to refocus on his F2 campaign and whether he can still contend for the championship. Additionally, Antonelli’s performance on familiar circuits will be closely watched to see if he can meet the high expectations set for him. The next race in Melbourne will provide some answers to these questions.
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