IT’S JUST Teen ace: I was pushing all the way – I was shocked at how fast it was and quicker every lap
Essex teen Oliver goes from skipping school to finishing an incredible seventh on his debut
FORMULA ONE fans were treated to a battle of the Brits at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as Oliver Bearman, Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton slugged it out in Jeddah.
It was Ferrari rookie Bearman (right) who stole the show, though, as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen cruised to his second win of the season.
Standing in for the stricken Carlos Sainz, the 18-year-old crossed the line in a remarkable seventh, holding off the Mclaren of Norris and Mercedes of Hamilton behind him to mark his debut with a six-point haul.
The fans also recognised his achievement as he picked up the driver of the day award by a commanding margin. “It was a fantastic race,” Bearman said. “I was pushing all the way. I was shocked at how fast we were pushing, getting quicker every lap – that was incredible.
“Especially at the end when I had the two guys on softs bearing down on me, I couldn’t relax. I was always in my mirrors pushing flat out. But it was a really exciting and fun race. The [lap] countdown seemed like it was going slower than normal.
“But I think we managed it really well. They weren’t really catching behind and I felt like I had a bit in hand in case I needed it, and a bit of engine mode as well. I think I did my fastest lap on the last one. I decided to push and see what I could do. It was really fun and I felt good confidence – I was building through the race.” Bearman’s heroics didn’t go unnoticed among the other drivers. After crossing the line two positions behind the teen, Hamilton applauded him from within the cockpit on the cooldown lap. The debutant’s performance also earned praise from team-mate Charles Leclerc, who took the final podium place. Leclerc said: “He completely deserves it. He has done an incredible job. Already from FP3, he was
Bearman is lined up for six practice outings with Haas. The Essex-born teen is primed for a seat with the team in 2025, with at least one of Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg expected to move on.
Verstappen led home a second successive Red Bull one-two finish ahead of team-mate Sergio Perez, securing his 100th F1 podium. straight on the pace. In qualifying he did a great job and missed Q3 by so little, and I think today he’s been incredible. I mean seventh in your first race in Formula One having only done FP3, in a new car, is just hugely impressive.
“I’m sure he’s extremely proud, but everybody has Seventh in your noticed how talented first F1 race is he is and I guess it’s hugely just a matter of time impressive before he comes here in Formula One.”
Bearman’s stellar debut won’t be his final F1 appearance of the 2024 season.
While Sainz is expected to return to the cockpit for the Australian Grand Prix in two weeks following appendix surgery,