Ollie Bearman had an exceptional debut in Formula 1 at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, receiving praise from the current drivers and forcing Ferrari to consider his future in the sport.
Bearman’s performance was truly remarkable. I cannot emphasize enough how impressive it was. Granted, there were some challenges along the way. At 18 years old, and in only his second Formula 2 season, being thrust into a Ferrari mid-weekend and starting a race while managing the chaos of the first lap is a lot to handle. There were moments where he needed to improve his race management skills. However, these were minor details. None of his actions hindered his race, and in fact, everything he did in the face of these challenges contributed to his success. His ability to manage the tires and improve his pace during the long second stint was a game-changer.
It was an outstanding result, surpassing all expectations. Bearman’s comment about F1 being “driver limited” after his whirlwind practice and qualifying day was intriguing. Unlike the one-make junior series he was accustomed to, F1 does not have a fixed limit of grip and performance. It is a constantly evolving challenge, and success depends on how far a driver can push themselves. While the car is undoubtedly important in F1, even the best car cannot compensate for a driver who is not up to the task.
Max Verstappen, a seasoned F1 driver, observed Bearman’s initial laps in FP3 and was immediately impressed by his skill and determination. Despite some circumstantial roughness in his driving, Bearman appeared to belong in F1. This was further evident in the race itself. Many drivers struggle when given a sudden opportunity in a competitive F1 car, but Bearman did not falter. Despite having only one practice session to adapt to the Ferrari and the challenging track, he extracted impressive performance from the car.
Bearman’s return to F1 is not a matter of if, but when. The absence of full-time rookies in the 2024 F1 season is a missed opportunity for teams. Bearman’s race serves as evidence of the talent that teams are overlooking due to their conservative approach. While he may not be a finished product like Oscar Piastri, who dominated the last F2 season, Bearman had already proven his readiness for F1 through his practice sessions and three feature race wins in his rookie F2 year. Being the absolute finished article is not a requirement, especially for teams towards the back of the grid like Haas, which is a Ferrari customer. Lando Norris and Alex Albon, both non-F2 champions, had successful rookie years and have continued to perform well in F1.
Haas should question whether Bearman would have been an upgrade to their current driver lineup. This consideration applies to other teams as well. F2 champion Theo Pourchaire’s early career trajectory is similar to Bearman’s, and teams may regret not giving him a chance. The potential of a car can only be fully realized with the right driver behind the wheel. Liam Lawson’s absence from the grid, despite showing more promise than Logan Sargeant, is another example of missed opportunities for teams. F1 teams should not repeat the same mistake in 2025 and should seize the chance to nurture talented young drivers like Bearman.
Ferrari’s decision to throw an 18-year-old debutant into the race with minimal practice time and an aggressive race strategy paid off spectacularly. It was a bolder move than their previous approach of signing proven superstars and finding a number two driver. However, it is unfortunate that there is no full-time driver vacancy at Ferrari for a few more years.
Bearman deserves recognition and may already have a 2025 deal on the table. His performance could indirectly boost the confidence of Mercedes in their young protege, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is Bearman’s F2 teammate. Antonelli, despite being younger and less experienced in F2, had a competitive showing in the Bahrain season opener. Mercedes may view him as a promising talent who could be ready for F1 sooner than expected.
This race may have made it difficult for Ferrari to retain Bearman, especially since their driver lineup is set until the end of 2026. Bearman and his management will likely be interested in exploring other opportunities in the market rather than settling for a seat at an inferior team like Haas for two seasons. Perhaps Red Bull could step in as a potential option. While Daniel Ricciardo’s performance against Yuki Tsunoda has been underwhelming, Tsunoda may never have a chance in the top Red Bull team. This opens the door for a potential replacement, and Bearman’s readiness and potential make him an attractive candidate. Other teams may also be intrigued by Bearman’s performance and consider signing him at any cost.