Successful baptism of fire for Bearman in Jeddah: “Physically, I am destroyed! »

Oliver Bearman was the intrigue of this 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Called up at short notice Friday morning before EL3 to replace Carlos Sainz, victim of an attack of appendicitis, at Ferrari, the Briton exceeded expectations this weekend, despite express preparation. After failing just 36 thousandths from Q3, the 18-year-old driver – youngest driver in the Team of history, it should be remembered – completed an impressive race of maturity and calm to finish 7th and score his first six points in F1.

After 50 high-intensity laps on the Jeddah circuit, the fastest and one of the most dangerous urban circuits on the calendar, it was a happy but above all exhausted Ollie Bearman who presented himself to the journalists' microphones, after the race. “Physically, I am destroyed! The race was very difficult! Especially at the end, when I got [Norris et Hamilton] on my heels behind me, I had to attack hard, confided the rookie. It was a mentally tough race, as you would expect, and physically I struggled too, but I had fun! »

Applying the advice of his boss Frédéric Vasseur, who recommended to him the day before not to play hero during the Grand Prix, Oliver Bearman took the time to adapt to his mount and the nature of the race to achieve an excellent result. for a first in F1.

“I think I did well, and that’s the main thing, said the 18-year-old Englishman. The circumstances were difficult, I didn't have many laps on the track, but I think I maximized everything I had to do today. I felt like I was a little faster thanAlonso and Russell in front, but not enough to catch them, the gap was quite large. I wasted a lot of time trying to overtake Hulkenberg, who used his experience to hold me back for a few laps so it's my fault, but no, it was a good race. »

Bearman set for a seat in 2025?

Congratulated on the release of his car by several of his friends – in particular his compatriots Lewis Hamilton and George Russell – Ollie Bearman also received compliments from most of the drivers on the grid. Max Verstappen highlighted “absolutely fantastic work on one of the most difficult circuits on the calendar” for the young Briton, while Charles Leclerc stated that “It’s only a matter of time before he starts in Formula 1.”

And precisely, to the question of whether he had positioned himself for a seat in 2025 thanks to this performance, Ollie Bearman answers… without answering: “It’s up to you to tell me: have I done enough? ". However, he will have the opportunity to shine again in 2024 in Formula 1: Ollie Bearman should participate in six Free Practice 1 sessions during the season with Haas, in addition to its obligations in Formula 2. As a reminder, the two drivers of the American team, namely Kevin Magnussen et Nico Hulkenberg, are coming to the end of their contract at the end of the 2024 season. To the wise…

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