The “shooting stars” in Formula 1: these tomorrows that don’t always sing…

Only eighteen years old, no mileage in the Ferrari SF-24, a deficit of two free practice sessions particularly handicapping on a high-speed circuit with walls and blind corners, a pressure multiplied by 10 when it it is about the Team… All the ingredients were there to turn the beginnings into hell F1 of Oliver Bearman in Saudi Arabia. Obviously, no one would have blamed him for producing a lackluster performance, for staying in line, especially not those decision-makers in the paddock who would have been the first to salute the Briton's “solid debut”, and the first to forget them. as fast.

What young Ollie achieved in Jeddah on Saturday March 9 goes well beyond the 7th place he acquired. By striking the imagination, he offered himself a winning ticket to the world championship. After such an incredible start as his season in Formula 2 either a success or a failure will have only a minimal influence on its future or no influence at all. Even if Ferrari is faced with the problem of having to find a seat for 2025, it is certainly more difficult to resolve for Frédéric Vasseur.

Only, when the day comes, the memory of his past exploits will already have lived, and it is a completely different challenge that Bearman will have to tackle, like others before him. Others who had also marked their very first time with a hot iron, and seemed promised the most beautiful future.