Aware of his difficult season in F2, Oliver Bearman wants to finish on a high before F1

If there is one driver in Europe who would never have imagined for a single second last winter what his 2024 season would look like, it is Oliver Bearman. After a promising rookie campaign which notably saw him sign the most dominant weekend in the history of the championship in Azerbaijan, the Englishman imagined himself (and us too) playing for the title. He was also the big favorite for the succession of Theo Pourchaire, with Victor Martins.

Nothing ended up going as planned. Ollie was disappointed in Bahrain with a 15th and 16th place during the inaugural weekend. The news car inaugurated in Formula 2 reshuffled the cards even more than we had imagined and his Prema team, like others, experienced entry difficulties. It was a big surprise for the 18-year-old, but nothing like what would happen a week later in Saudi Arabia.

Jeddah, the chance of a lifetime for Bearman

The Englishman thought of launching his season with an authoritarian pole position gleaned on the Jeddah Corniche, but he never honored it, due to the call received from the Team Ferrari. Carlos Sainz having withdrawn from free practice 3 in Saudi Arabia, the Briton had to abandon his F2 weekend to become the youngest driver in history to start a Grand Prix of F1 at the wheel of a Ferrari, and even the 3rd youngest in the history of the discipline behind Max Verstappen et Lance stroll.

His nice 7th place, obtained in particular thanks to a surprising racing pace, allowed him to make an impression... and to secure his place on the grid a few months later with a view to 2025. It will be at Haas alongsideEsteban Ocon...and this despite a nightmarish F2 season (1 sprint victory, only 4 points entries). After having long feared that his sporting record would destroy his chances of being promoted to F1, the Prema driver was relieved to put his signature on the contract presented by Ayao Komatsu.

Ollie Bearman will be Esteban Ocon's teammate in 2025 at Haas. © Antonin Vincent / DPPI

A philosopher, Bearman says he is counting on this difficult season to learn in preparation for his debut in F1.  “The season was difficult, the first in my career where I did not fight regularly for victories, which was very difficult to live with, explained Bearman to the website of the Formula 2. I learned a lot about certain areas, about going into the weekend and being in a situation where I think it's fair to say we're not yet capable of winning consistently. This allowed me to learn a lot of things. There will definitely be seasons like this in my career. It’s not always easy but it’s a great learning experience.”

Objective, to raise the bar before F1

To explain his setbacks, the Englishman highlights several factors. “First of all, the fact that it was a new car had an impact. From now on in my career, I will have a new car every year. So it's a good learning experience. Due to us not fighting where we wanted to, I had to change my mindset and the way I worked with the guys, and it was difficult, but I also learned a lot . I think every cloud contains a glimmer of hope.” Poet, Oliver.

When his signing in F1 was made official, which took place at Silverstone last July on the sidelines of the British Grand Prix, Bearman told us of his relief at not having been shunned because of his performances in F2. “I am happy to have confirmed my plans for next year, he admitted. Now I can't wait to leave because I want to finish in style in F2 and with PREMA because it's a long collaboration and I think I owe it to them to finish with good results and leave with a good memory, so I really hope we can do it together.”

What a performance from the Bearman, @OllieBearman. A few donuts outside the Goodwood House in a #Ferrari SF71F, no big deal. #FOS

📷: Toby Whales Photography pic.twitter.com/TnN4qFUXQE

— Goodwood Road & Racing (@GoodwoodRRC) July 14, 2024

Oliver Bearman may have secured his future in F1, but he knows full well that he has every interest in getting things back on track if he does not want to be brought back to this delicate year too often in the future. “I want to finish on a high and I am more motivated than ever to go all the way and finish on a positive note. I feel like I owe it to the team to get this result. I think we are on the right track with the car. I have a better feeling from race to race and I feel a little more confident and comfortable. So we are taking steps in the right direction. There's nothing to lose, we can just go for it and hopefully we can continue to make those strides as a team over the course of our time together, and fingers crossed we can finish strong." Currently 7th in the teams championship, Prema is only 32 points behind 4th place. A gap far from insurmountable to reconnect with its more usual standards.

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