Picture yourself making your debut in Formula 1 for Ferrari on short notice, performing exceptionally well, and receiving recognition for deserving an F1 drive. However, you are then required to return to a Formula 2 car as your main focus for the remainder of 2024. It’s a significant drop from the incredible highs experienced by Ollie Bearman. Despite this setback, Bearman will have the opportunity to participate in six F1 practice sessions with Haas later in the year, as well as additional test runs with Ferrari.
Unfortunately, Bearman’s F2 team, Prema, had a disastrous season opener, and Bearman missed out on bonus points for pole position and potential high-scoring finishes in Saudi Arabia. As a result, he currently trails leader Zane Maloney by 47 points after only four races, with no points to his name. Even if Bearman were to achieve a perfect score at the third round in Melbourne this weekend, it would not be enough to surpass Maloney in the F2 standings. However, team boss Rene Rosin remains optimistic, stating that “anything is possible” in this campaign.
To surpass Maloney and win the championship, Bearman would need to outscore him by two points per race for the remainder of the season. It will be an extremely difficult task, but not impossible. Despite the 47-point deficit, there are still 468 points available. Previous champions in F2/GP2, such as Mick Schumacher and George Russell, have overcome similar point gaps to claim the title in the past.
Regardless of his chances in the title fight, Bearman has already proven that he is more than ready for an F1 opportunity in 2025. According to Rosin, Bearman has consistently performed well since joining Prema in Formula 3, fighting for wins and championships. He was one of the top rookies in F2 last year, winning races in challenging conditions. Rosin expresses his confidence in Bearman’s abilities, stating that he did an “amazing job” during his F1 debut and emphasizing the need for him to refocus on Formula 2.
Prema had a disappointing start to the season in Bahrain, a track that has historically posed challenges for the team. However, Rosin believes that they have made progress since then and expects Melbourne to be a benchmark race where they can demonstrate their improvement. He attributes the difficulties in Bahrain to setup decisions and the unique characteristics of the track. Despite the setbacks, Rosin remains optimistic and states that there is no cause for worry or drama. The team has worked hard to address their mistakes and saw positive results in Jeddah.
In addition to Bearman, his F2 teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli has also attracted significant attention as a highly touted junior driver. Antonelli and Bearman both made their F2 debuts at the age of 17. While their career paths have been similar, with both spending time in F4, Bearman’s transition to FIA F3 and Antonelli’s participation in the Formula Regional European Championship set them apart. Antonelli faces added pressure due to speculation that he could replace Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari if he performs well in F2. Despite this pressure, Antonelli has shown promise and has already scored his first point in F2.
Antonelli’s start to the season has been challenging, with a disappointing result in Bahrain and mixed performances in Jeddah. However, it’s important to consider the differences in experience and the learning curve he faces. Coming from Formula Regional cars, Antonelli is adjusting to the higher level of performance, aero dynamics, tire degradation, and other factors in F2. Furthermore, he had not driven on the first three tracks of the calendar before competing in F2. Despite these challenges, Antonelli’s potential is evident, and he is expected to improve as he becomes more familiar with the circuits.
Rosin is pleased with Antonelli’s progress and acknowledges the significant gap he is bridging in terms of car performance and preparation. He believes that Antonelli’s true potential will shine through once he becomes more familiar with the circuits in Europe and applies the lessons learned in the first part of the season.
While Prema has had a challenging start to the season, it would be unwise to underestimate their capabilities. The team has a strong track record and has nurtured many drivers who have gone on to compete in F1. The focus now lies on Bearman’s ability to refocus on his F2 campaign and whether he can still contend for the championship. Additionally, Antonelli’s performance on familiar circuits will be closely watched to see if he can meet the high expectations set for him. The upcoming race in Melbourne will provide some answers to these questions.