While Red Bull dominated the track and made unwanted headlines, British teenager Oliver Bearman of Formula 1 with a much-needed feel-good story stole the display at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Bearman’s sudden access to the most coveted seat in motorsport at just 18 years of age due to someone else not feeling so well, with Carlos Sainz having to undergo surgery for appendicitis on Friday.
Just hours before the final test, Bearman was informed that he would have the chance to be the third-youngest driver to compete in an F1 race.
The Ferrari Driver Academy product controlled an early qualifying, narrowly missing out on a position in Q3 to Lewis Hamilton, who was 11th on the grid.
The Essex-born driver, however, would overtake Hamilton on Saturday in Jeddah, performing a simple task on one of the toughest tracks on the F1 calendar to finish seventh at the end of a not easy 50-lap race.
Yes, Ferrari had a smart car, as Charles Leclerc proved in his qualifying time and as reigning world champion Max Verstappen and Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez climbed to the last place on the podium, but a lot may have gone wrong.
As it stands, Bearman has shown a calmness that defies his age and inexperience to keep two of Britain’s stars, Lando Norris and Hamilton, at bay in the knockout stages.
Bearman’s remarkable adulthood was demonstrated when he faced a far greater set of media responsibilities than he had ever been exposed to before pursuing the career.
“Honestly, it didn’t feel like a dream, I’m sorry to disappoint you,” he told Sky Sports F1.
“It was a wonderful race and I enjoyed every moment of it, but the weekend was too short.
“It’s over too temporarily and now I’m back to earth and reality, but I think I did a task today. “
Bearman spent his weekend in Saudi Arabia behind the wheel of a Formula 2 car and took pole in qualifying for the main race of the fuel championship on Thursday before being called up by Ferrari.
“I don’t even know what happened in the race,” he said. It’s weird not to watch an F1 race. It’s probably the first race I haven’t seen in a long time. So I’ll have to come back when I get home. “
The experience of sharing the track with Hamilton, who made his F1 debut when Bearman was just one year old, was also for the boy.
“I’m pretty young,” he said. “So that’s great.
“I grew up watching those guys fight and it’s cool to do it, I don’t fight them, but it’s cool to share the track with them. It’s exciting to have their recognition. “
Buoyed by what was beating seven-time world champion Hamilton, who will join Ferrari next year, Bearman was incredibly modest.
“We also had a faster car, which helps,” he said. “That the car is flying today, which is obviously a big plus. “
“But I think we had a clean and error-free race and that’s precisely what we were for, so I’m pleased with my performance. “
As was the case after Bearman’s performance on Friday, the biggest names in the game got major accolades.
Hamilton, who was on hand to cheer and hug Bearman as he got out of his car at the end of the race, praised him.
“First of all, the Ferrari looks very strong, clearly the closest to the Red Bulls,” said the Mercedes driver.
“But to be taken out of your elegance and put straight into a Ferrari, the most sensible team, and to have to go straight into practice with no long races and all that sort of stuff, I think he’s done a phenomenal job this weekend and it’s just a sign that he’s a shining star in the long run. “
Leclerc, known for his ambitious racing technique, was even inspired by Bearman’s instant bravery.
“Unbelievable, unbelievable. I all saw how talented he is,” Leclerc said.
“It’s been incredible. I saw Ollie’s first three laps in the garage on Friday and I thought, ‘Oh my God. ‘He was very close to the walls and pushing like crazy and was comfortable with the car from the start. “
“He’s done an amazing job and he’s incredibly proud of himself. Scoring points in his first F1 race, starting 11th and gaining places is a huge effort. “
“So congratulations to him, he has a long and bright road ahead of him and deserves to get a chance in Formula 1 sooner rather than later. “
Another British F1 star, George Russell, hopes to return to racing with Bearman soon.
“Amazing job. I think for anyone who comes, to get in the P3 car on a circuit like this, it’s a challenge, I’m impressed,” said the Mercedes driver.
“Honestly, I didn’t get too attached to his career, a little bit last year in F2, but I saw his laps in Mexico last year for Haas and I was inspired by the way he drives.
“Going straight off the beaten track this weekend was an impressive job. I hope to see him on the grid next year or the year after. “
While impressing other drivers is vital to achieving their preference for a permanent seat in F1, the most important eyes placed on Bearman in Jeddah were those of the team bosses.
For Bearman’s development, the ultimate user is Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur, who could potentially influence some other team to sign the 18-year-old in the short term.
“Yes (exceeded my expectations),” Vasseur told Sky Sports F1. “I didn’t have a plan before, as you can believe when I asked Ollie to get in the car on Friday.
“He did very well yesterday, going step by step in practice and then in qualifying because he missed Q3 by a few hundredths.
“Today I was a bit scared by the start and the pit stops, but he forged himself very well and didn’t make any mistakes in the race and was able to accelerate at the end when we told him that Norris and Hamilton were behind. .
“It’s a job. It was unbelievable on the part of management. Race is one thing, but direction. From the beginning of the race, he was very solid. “
Vasseur said after the race that he was “optimistic” that Sainz, who notably arrived at the track to watch from the Ferrari garage on Saturday, will be fit to race in Australia in two weeks’ time.
Bearman’s promotion to F1 this weekend has seen him lose ground in the F2 championship, which Vasseur says will have to be his main concentration for the rest of 2024.
“At least with Ollie we know we have a reserve,” added the Frenchman. “I wish Carlos a recovery and a rest.
“The most important thing is that we will have today’s result in a few weeks’ time and he has to concentrate on F2 and the challenge ahead.
“This weekend has taken a heavy toll on him because he intended to start from pole in F2.
“Getting back into the championship will be a challenge, but he’ll have a chance to get a P1 this year. “
Former W Series host and Sky Sports F1 pundit Naomi Schiff is another viewer inspired by Bearman’s style.
“Amazing paintings from him,” Schiff said. He didn’t make any mistakes and was shocking from the start.
“He showed race pace, aggression and looked to make the most of this day. Fantastic work. “
Bernie Collins, Aston Martin’s former head of race strategy and Sky Sports F1 expert, was pleased with the way the 18-year-old treated his career.
“Excellent driving from him,” Collins said. To get through that pit, stop the safety car with a lot of pressure and lots of cars in the pit lane.
“He struggled to overtake Hülkenberg and that’s where a lot of his race time was.
“After that, lap after lap alone, taking data on the cars, with a transparent head and it’s difficult to stay focused during those 50 laps.
“I said a more sensible 10 would be phenomenal and he got over that result!”
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