Oliver Bearman, more comfortable in F1 than in F2

The contrast is striking. Is it really possible to analyze Oliver Bearman's season while remaining Cartesian? Expected to be one of the two big favorites for the championship title in Formula 2, the Englishman had a disappointing season, marked only by a pole position in Jeddah (which he was unable to honour), and by two sprint victories in Austria and Italy, which only earned him a meager 15th place.

Disappointing? Naturally. A little less so, however, when you look at his three Grand Prix of F1 disputed… In replacement of a Carlos Sainz affected by an attack of appendicitis in Saudi Arabia, he climbed into the Ferrari and narrowly missed out on getting into Q3, before going on to claim an honourable 7th place on the Saudi Corniche the next day. Enough to put his name on the map and make others want to Haas to make him a permanent member for 2025.

Bearman, more comfortable in F1 than in F2

So when Kevin Magnussen handed a Grand Prix suspension for lack of points on his superlicence, Ollie Bearman was immediately called up by Ayao Komatsu to replace the Dane in Baku. He would do better than that, by taking the point for 10th place, ahead of a Nico Hulkenberg only 11th. Repeat in Brazil, where he finished 12th in torrential rain, showing himself to be more advantageous than his short-lived German teammate.

How can we explain such a difference in results and ease from one championship to another? Invited to the Pirelli podcast, the Briton detailed the concerns that could be his at the wheel of F2. "Is it really difficult? There is quite a different driving style between the two cars, which doesn't make my life easy to switch regularly from one car to the other."

The Prema driver, who will take part in his last two F2 meetings in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, feels more like a fish in water. “I feel a bit natural in F1. I tend to pick up speed a bit quicker and I feel confident when I drive an F1 car. I always feel like I’m at home when I get in an F1 car, which is nice. And every time I get in an F1 car, I feel like I’m more and more at home. It’s a good feeling.” 

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