Oliver Bearman promotion: salute the audacity of Ferrari!

By lining up in 11th place on the grid in Jeddah this evening at 20:00 p.m. (18:00 p.m. in France) for the start of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Oliver Bearman will become the youngest rookie at 18 years and 305 days old Ferrari Of the history.

Mobilized at the last minute to replace a Carlos Sainz forced to undergo surgery following appendicitis, the young Briton is the first driver to begin his career F1 under the colors of the Scuderia since Arturo Merzario at the 1972 British GP!

In addition to the historic significance of the event, it is the audacity shown by Ferrari which attracts attention.

Indeed, the Maranello house has three official reserves: the experienced Antonio Giovinazzi (30 years old), winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2023 and former Sauber driver/Alfa Romeo between 2017 and 2021, Robert Shwartzman (24 years old), former vice-champion of Formula 2 FIA and present in the walls for several years now, and Bearman therefore.

The ultra-tight timing undoubtedly partly explains the promotion of the Briton born on May 8, 2005. After all, Bearman was already present in Jeddah for the F2 meeting (from which he took pole position last Thursday).

It is not impossible to think that, in the recent past, Ferrari would have opted for a more conservative solution by appointing a veteran in place of Sainz.

Bearman being also a reservist of the Haas F1 Team, logic would have dictated that a curmudgeon like Kevin Magnussen (31 years old) or Nico Hulkenberg (36 years old) “climbs” in the SF-24, while the English teenager was training in the American team, far from the spotlight and media pressure.

Should we see in this the work of Frédéric Vasseur, whose qualities as a talent scout and trainer we know? The Frenchman was content with some advice to his new driver: “ Don't try to be a hero! ».

Message received 5/5 by Bearman, who came close to eliminating Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) in Q2 Friday evening. An impressive debut, on a Jeddah circuit that is extremely perilous and complicated to tame, especially without preparation or any experience in the legs!

And to think that 15 years ago, to replace the unfortunate Felipe Massa who was seriously injured in Hungary, the Scuderia called on the venerable Luca Badoer (38 years old), after trying to align Michael Schumacher it is true. For a catastrophic sporting result. Ferrari then set its sights on Giancarlo Fisichella (36 years old). If Fisico was not parked like Badoer, he already no longer embodied the future, unlike Bearman.

Ferrari therefore went against the grain of its historical DNA, which saw the Italian institution trust only in confirmed and experienced talents.

Hats off for this risk-taking that we would like to see more often in a world where some drivers cling to their seats more than necessary.

READ ALSO : Who is Oliver Bearman, Carlos Sainz's replacement in Jeddah?