Oliver Bearman, the reserve driver for Ferrari, expressed uncertainty about how he can further prove himself for a permanent spot on the 2025 Formula 1 lineup following his impressive performance in Saudi Arabia. Bearman was called upon to replace Carlos Sainz during the final practice session due to Sainz’s appendicitis. Although Bearman didn’t secure a top-10 starting position, he showcased a strong race performance, surpassing both Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton to finish in seventh place. Bearman shared that Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur advised him not to take unnecessary risks, and he was pleased to complete the race without any mistakes.
During the early laps, Bearman found himself behind Yuki Tsunoda but managed to surprise the Red Bull driver with a bold move into Turn 1 after the restart. Later on, Bearman faced Nico Hulkenberg and acknowledged that Hulkenberg strategically utilized his battery power, something Bearman was not accustomed to. It took Bearman a few laps to figure out the optimal energy usage, but he remained disciplined and avoided pushing too hard.
The race around the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, spanning 50 laps and covering a distance of 3.836 miles, is known for its grueling nature, posing a significant challenge for the drivers on the F1 calendar. Bearman, acknowledging the physical demands of the race, revealed that Lewis Hamilton provided assistance by helping him out of the car in parc ferme during the closing stages. He explained that the track’s low degradation and high lateral G-forces made it akin to completing 50 qualifying laps, which is truly remarkable.
Bearman, who became the youngest Ferrari driver to participate in a grand prix, achieved the best result for an F1 rookie since Felipe Nasr’s performance nine years ago. After completing the debrief with his Ferrari team, Bearman expressed his intention to indulge in a satisfying dinner and a well-deserved dessert to celebrate his accomplishment.
While Carlos Sainz, who underwent an operation, was present to support Ferrari in the paddock, Bearman remains uncertain about the possibility of filling in for him again in Australia. When asked if he expected to have another opportunity to race in Melbourne in two weeks’ time, Bearman honestly admitted that he was unsure. He expressed his happiness for Sainz’s recovery, acknowledging that it is ultimately Sainz’s car and championship, and he hopes for the best for him.
In terms of securing a permanent spot on the F1 roster, Bearman expressed uncertainty about his future, stating that he doesn’t believe he will remain in F1 for the remainder of the year. He considered his goal for the weekend to be putting on a great performance, which he believes he achieved to a satisfactory extent. Moving forward, he plans to focus on pushing in F2 and keeping his fingers crossed for future opportunities.
In addition to his role with Ferrari, Bearman also serves as the reserve driver for the Haas team. He will participate in six FP1 sessions throughout the season, driving the VF-24 car. Bearman expressed enthusiasm about building a relationship with Haas and gaining more experience behind the wheel. He hopes that this opportunity will open up further doors for him.
Bearman also revealed that he has more tests planned with Ferrari, potentially including the chance to sample the team’s ground effect 2022 race-winning car, the F1-75. He emphasized the value of the miles he has already accumulated in the Ferrari car, which will aid in sim correlation and contribute to his ability to assist the team in future tests with previous cars.