How the regular Formula 1 drivers react to the qualifying performance of Ferrari replacement driver Oliver Bearman and what makes his debut so special
Oliver Bearman, just 18 years old, caused a sensation in Formula 1 qualifying in Saudi Arabia as Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari replacement. Eleventh place in the Ferrari SF-24 without any significant preparation was considered an “impressive performance” by his fellow drivers
Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, for example, said: “Good man! Really well done. To go straight into third practice without testing and perform like that is outstanding. I’m really impressed. But that just proves what a great talent he is. He obviously has the necessary confidence in the car straight away.”
And that on a track that all drivers classify as “particularly difficult”: “Jeddah is a street circuit and incredibly fast,” explains Ferrari regular Charles Leclerc. This makes the circuit “definitely” one of the most challenging on the Formula 1 calendar
Preparation is everything in modern Formula 1
Red Bull driver Sergio Perez adds: “Jeddah is the track where you have to take the most risks and need the most confidence in the car and the balance. So, huge respect for this performance. That was really strong. But that just shows how well prepared he is for this situation.”
Leclerc also attributes Bearman’s performance on his debut as a Ferrari driver to the Ferrari simulator in Maranello and says: “A lot is done there. And I’m really pleased that he quickly got into a rhythm. Because that means the people in the simulator are doing a good job preparing him at the factory. So he has been prepared in the best possible way.”
However, this is expressly “not intended to diminish” Bearman’s talent, Leclerc continues. “What he showed was incredibly impressive. “
Praise from world champion Verstappen to Bearman
World champion Max Verstappen from Red Bull agrees: Bearman sold himself “very impressively” in qualifying, but also before that in the third free practice session.
“I had watched his first laps. Because that’s where you see whether someone feels comfortable in the car or not,” says Verstappen. “After two or three laps, I thought to myself: ‘Okay, that looks strong. I like it! And if he’s now in P11 on the grid, just six tenths off the best time [in Q2], then that’s more than you could expect from him. He did incredibly well.”
“And I hope he enjoyed it a bit too. Because it’s quite stressful when you come into a new team, practically a new car in front of you and you don’t know the track. Hopefully he’s happy with himself and isn’t bemoaning the fact that he dropped out in Q2 or anything like that. Because everyone in the paddock saw that he did a good job. “
All this with a certain ease, especially for an 18-year-old and in the traditional Formula 1 team par excellence. Leclerc: “I asked him in the morning if he was excited. He just said: ‘I can’t wait! Again, I had expected that! It was nice to see his anticipation before the first race with Ferrari. “
Hamilton: Formula 1 at 18? Not with me!”
Which brings back memories of Hamilton’s own Formula 1 entry: “I was 22. Where was I racing at 18? In Formula 3? I wasn’t even close to being ready for Formula 1 at 18, but times have changed.”
“I think if I had got into Formula 1 at 18, mine would have been different. I’m glad I waited. That’s why I had twelve podium results in the first twelve Formula 1 races. So I’m happy to have had this basis. “
