Oliver Bearman: « That’s what I have been working on for the past 12 years

Oliver Bearman, also known as Ollie, a reserve driver for Ferrari, replaced Carlos Sainz in Saudi Arabia after the latter underwent an appendicitis surgery. He managed to reach seventh place in the starting grid, also scoring his first points in Formula 1 and making a strong impression on his colleagues.

Thanks to his performance, the British driver managed to secure a place with the Haas team for next year, becoming the fourteenth confirmed driver for now. He will join Formula 1 at the end of the season. For now, young Bearman will continue to train during the Free Practice sessions like the one in Silverstone.

A driver still under testing

Oliver Bearman shares his first impressions after Thursday’s announcement with emotion. Recruited by the Haas team for 2025, the young driver is proud of his journey. “It’s a special feeling, it’s a great pride. You know, when you take a step back and think about it, it’s what I’ve dreamed of since I was a child. It’s what I’ve been working towards for the past 12 years or so. It’s been a long journey and taking a step towards F1 feels like starting this journey,” he said at his first press conference. A confidence that many fans criticize him for.

Although Bearman has shown his talent in Formula 1, his season in Formula 2 has been more complicated. His team, Prema Racing, didn’t really manage to produce an efficient car for the 2024 season, affecting not only Bearman but also his teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Currently, the British driver has accumulated 28 points and is in fourteenth place in the standings. A gap of almost 80 points with the leading driver. But these concerns have not found a place in the Formula 1 paddock.

The encouragement of the greatest.

As the British Grand Prix approaches, British drivers Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and Lando Norris were asked about the presence of a new British driver among them. Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, expressed his admiration for the youngest driver, but still made it clear that he would not take him under his wing. “I don’t think he needs me – he’s a pretty smart boy. Of course, my door is always open if anyone has questions or needs advice,” he explained at the press conference.

The two other British drivers, Russell and Norris, preferred to congratulate Ollie Bearman for his performance. “Ollie is an excellent driver and it’s great to see four Britons on the grid,” specified George Russell, a driver at Mercedes. “He showed in Saudi Arabia that he can do an excellent job under pressure,” added Lando Norris from his side.

But Oliver Bearman’s adventure in Formula 1 is just beginning. As he himself pointed out, there are still tests to be done with Haas this year, but also with Ferrari. He still has some time to improve before next year.