Max Verstappen secured his ninth consecutive win at the Saudi Arabian GP, leading a Red Bull 1-2 with Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc trailing. Notably, British teenager Oliver Bearman made an impressive F1 debut for Ferrari, finishing seventh ahead of Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton. Despite his youth and towering stature, Bearman showcased remarkable talent on the track.
In a last-minute entry to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, 18-year-old Oliver Bearman from Essex faced the challenge of his life among millionaire superstars.
Remarkably, he passed with flying colors, finishing seventh ahead of motor racing legend Lewis Hamilton, who secured ninth place.
The contrast in their careers was highlighted, considering Bearman was merely 18 months old when Hamilton won his first world title in 2008 for McLaren.
Damon Hill declared, ‘A star is born,’ as 18-year-old Oliver Bearman impressed in his F1 debut at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Despite finishing seventh, Bearman drew praise from Hill and received congratulations from Lewis Hamilton.
A member of the Ferrari Academy, Bearman faced the challenge unexpectedly after Carlos Sainz’s illness. Despite the pressure, Bearman showed composure, claiming 11th place in qualifying.
With limited F1 experience, he stepped into the iconic red Ferrari and stood tall on the grid alongside seasoned drivers. Despite Max Verstappen’s victory, Bearman’s remarkable debut left an enduring impact.
Oliver Bearman’s F1 debut at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was closely observed by his father, David, in the Ferrari garage.
Despite a less agile start, Bearman maintained his position with an off-track detour at the first corner. On the softest tires, he attempted overtakes on Yuki Tsunoda but faced challenges getting through the Red Bull car. Ferrari’s pit wall provided encouragement, noting they were faster than the cars in front.
Following a safety car period, Bearman pitted for hard rubber and made a successful move up the inside, reaching 10th place and earning points. While leading, Lando Norris hadn’t stopped, and Max Verstappen eventually reclaimed the top spot.
Oliver Bearman impressed in his F1 debut at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, dealing with challenges from Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg.
After successfully overtaking Hulkenberg, he finished in ninth place, just behind George Russell. Despite the 5.6-second gap, Bearman’s remarkable performance earned praise from his race engineer and fellow drivers, with Charles Leclerc predicting a permanent spot for him in the paddock.
As the race concluded, Bearman headed to debriefs, acknowledging the less glamorous aspects of a driver’s life, but maintained a positive outlook, anticipating a late-night celebration with a casual meal.