Made his debut in Formula 1: Oliver Bearman. © ANSA / ALI HAIDER

Ferrari's debutant enchants Formula 1

After his successful Formula 1 debut, Ferrari talent Oliver Bearman thanked him for a special greeting.

March 10, 2024

From: dpa/det

“Before the race I got a message from one of my heroes, Sebastian Vettel. That was really, really nice. Thank you, Seb,” said the 18-year-old Brit. Bearman made his first Grand Prix appearance in Saudi Arabia completely unexpectedly because Ferrari regular driver Carlos Sainz had to undergo an operation for an inflamed appendix. Former world champion Vettel drove for Scuderia from 2015 to 2020.

After a courageous and almost error-free drive, Bearman finished seventh in Jeddah, scored six championship points and was voted driver of the day by the fans. The youngster is the third youngest driver to take part in a Formula 1 race. “It was an unforgettable weekend,” enthused Bearman, whose father, who was excited in the Ferrari garage, was repeatedly captured by the TV cameras.

Praise from the boss

Bearman usually competes in the Formula 2 junior series for the Prema team. He has been a member of Ferrari's driver academy since 2022. “He mastered the two days incredibly well, almost like an old hand,” praised Ferrari team boss Frédéric Vasseur.

Oliver Bearman roared to 7th place in the Ferrari. © ANSA / ALI HAIDER

Vasseur left it open whether Bearman would have to help out again at the next race in Australia in two weeks. Sainz still has to recover after his operation. “I'm not a doctor, we have to take it step by step,” said the Frenchman.

Sainz allegedly came back to the track as a spectator just one day after the procedure, against the advice of the doctors. “He recovered incredibly quickly,” said Vasseur, who was optimistic that the Spaniard would play in Melbourne.