Oliver Bearman, a reserve driver for Ferrari SF-24, believes that making a strong impression during his stand-in appearance is crucial for his aspirations of securing a full-time Formula 1 seat, rather than racing in Formula 2. Bearman’s journey has been quite eventful, as he woke up on Friday morning after topping the Formula 2 qualifying session, only to receive a call to replace the unwell Carlos Sainz and make his Grand Prix debut with Ferrari, the most prestigious team in Formula 1. Despite missing out on the first two practice sessions in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which is known for its challenging circuit, the 18-year-old accepted the opportunity without hesitation. This decision meant giving up pole position in Formula 2 with Prema and the chance to earn his first points of the 2024 season in the junior formula. However, Bearman saw it as a no-brainer, as becoming Ferrari’s youngest-ever Grand Prix driver was an opportunity he couldn’t let slip away. In his own words, “there’s no way I’m gonna let it go.” He believes that a strong performance in Formula 1 holds more weight in achieving his ultimate goal of reaching the pinnacle of motorsport, rather than winning races in Formula 2. Bearman hopes to score points in the race and demonstrate his capabilities. Despite having limited time to familiarize himself with the Ferrari SF-24 before qualifying, Bearman impressed, narrowly missing out on making it to Q3 by a mere 0.036 seconds. This led to high praise from Formula 1 veterans such as Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Max Verstappen, and Charles Leclerc, who commended his performance. However, Bearman, like many racing drivers, was not completely satisfied with his own performance. He acknowledged that his first lap was not ideal in Sector Three, resulting in a significant loss of time, and the tires were not in the optimal window for his next lap. He sees room for improvement but acknowledges the fine margins in Formula 1. Looking ahead to the race on Saturday, Bearman’s goal is to avoid mistakes, gain experience, and reach the finish line without getting caught up in any incidents. Despite the praise for his youth from the likes of Hamilton, Bearman understands that at 18 years old, he may not be fully prepared for Grand Prix action. However, he reflects on the rapid progression of his career, going from competing in F4 just two years ago to participating in his first F1 test only three months prior. While he remains focused on maximizing his performance and scoring points, Bearman expects to feel a sense of pride when he takes a step back and reflects on his journey.
Credit: Julien Delfosse / DPPIYasser Shahin, the winner of the LMGT3-class in the #91 Manthey Porsche EMA at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, described the race as a...
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