British teenager Oliver Bearman had an unforgettable debut for Ferrari on March 9, etching his name in Formula One annals and earning accolades as Driver of the Day, with pundits hailing him as a talent destined for greatness.
At just 18 years and 305 days old, Bearman, Ferrari’s youngest-ever rookie, started the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from 11th position, ultimately crossing the finish line in seventh place. He replaced Carlos Sainz, who was sidelined due to appendicitis.
Reflecting on his remarkable performance, Bearman admitted, “I don’t even know what happened in the race.” His sentiments resonated throughout the paddock, as praise for his stellar debut reverberated under the Jeddah Corniche floodlights.
He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share the track with seasoned veterans, noting, “It’s weird to not watch an F1 race. It’s probably the first F1 race I haven’t watched for a long time.
“I grew up watching these guys fighting, so it was nice to share a track with them and it was a pleasure to have their recognition.”
The acclaim poured in from all corners, with former world champion Damon Hill proclaiming, “a star is born.” Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, who secured a podium finish, lauded Bearman’s exceptional performance, asserting that the young driver was only scratching the surface of his potential.
“Today he’s been incredible,” Leclerc remarked. “It’s hugely impressive and I’m sure he’s extremely proud. Everybody has noticed how talented he is and I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before he’s in F1.”
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, was among the first to congratulate Bearman, extending a handshake and embrace as the emerging talent emerged from his Ferrari.
Lando Norris, Britain’s previous youngest driver, also commended Bearman’s achievement, predicting more success in the future. “He clearly deserves it and I’m sure we’ll see more of him again in the future.”
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur praised Bearman’s flawless performance, highlighting his composure and error-free drive. “From the beginning of the event he was very solid, very robust, good feedback, very calm on the radio,” Vasseur noted.
Bearman acknowledged the role of his fast car in his success, stating; “The car was flying today, so that’s obviously a big bonus. But I think we executed a clean race, no mistakes and that’s exactly what we were looking for. I’m happy with my performance.”
With six points in Formula One, Bearman has outscored his Formula Two tally. Looking ahead, he remains pragmatic about his prospects, acknowledging the uncertainty of his future in F1.
“I don’t know what else I can do because I don’t think I will be in F1 for the rest of the year,” he further stated.
“So that was my goal to do a great showing this weekend. I think I did a decent job. That’s all I can do. I think I’ll have a nice, big dinner tonight. A big dessert as well. I think I earned that.”
