Oliver Bearman had an impressive debut in Formula 1, finishing in seventh place and clinching the Driver of the Day title, as voted by the fans. Bearman, who is a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, made his debut with Scuderia Ferrari at the Saudi Arabian GP. Despite being called up just a few hours before Qualifying to replace Carlos Sainz, the 18-year-old decided to forgo his F2 campaign over the weekend. He had already secured pole position in F2. After the race, Bearman revealed how Lewis Hamilton helped him.
Throughout the weekend in Jeddah, Bearman showed great potential. In his first outing with the Ferrari SF24, he qualified in eleventh place for the race. He also showcased his skills during the Grand Prix, finishing in seventh place. Lewis Hamilton even congratulated Bearman from inside his cockpit during the cool-down lap.
Bearman admitted to facing physical challenges during his first F1 race. The demands of driving modern F1 cars can be extremely challenging, with drivers potentially losing up to 2 kilograms in a single race. The nature of the Jeddah circuit added to the challenge, with low tire degradation and high lateral G-forces putting pressure on the drivers throughout the Grand Prix.
With his impressive performances in junior categories, Bearman is considered one of the most talented drivers in Formula 2 this year. He aims to make a full-time entry into Formula 1 in the future. Although his seventh place in Saudi Arabia may not be enough to secure a seat in 2025, Bearman is determined to win the F2 title this year. There is a possibility that Ferrari may find a spot for him in a rival team, as they have already confirmed Lewis Hamilton and another driver for the upcoming season.
In 2024, Oliver Bearman will be a driver to keep an eye on. Many are eager to see a direct competition between Bearman and the Mercedes prodigy for the F2 title. The question that remains is whether the Ferrari academy driver will be able to make it to the F1 grid in 2025.
