Oliver Bearman has raced in qualifying for Ferrari on his aggressive Formula One debut forward of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The British 18-year-old changed Carlos Sainz on the final minute after the Spaniard was recognized with appendicitis, requiring surgical procedure.
Bearman, who turns 19 in May, will turn out to be the youngest Briton to compete in a Formula One race on the Grand Prix.
Ferrari’s reserve driver certified eleventh and narrowly missed out on a spot within the ultimate qualifying session by simply 0.036 seconds on Friday, simply behind seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he mentioned that he awoke on Friday able to race in Formula Two as deliberate, “then I got chucked in the deep end for F1 FP3 and qualifying”.
He added: “Of course not the ideal situation and I feel sorry for Carlos and wish him the best but it’s a fantastic opportunity.
“A bit upset with every part nevertheless it was a enjoyable day on the market… At the second (I’m) not so proud, the racer in me is aware of that the automotive was fast sufficient to be in Q3, so slightly bit upset with that.
“But I know that when I look back in a couple of days I’ll be quite proud of what I’ve managed to do today.
“The purpose was to do as many laps as potential. Especially at evening, I missed FP2 which isn’t very best. That was the purpose.
“The soft tyre lasts quite well, it’s quite durable, so just tried to get as many laps in Q1. Q2 was a bit more messy, a few mistakes on my side, so that’s where I’m disappointed.”
Ferrari teammate and fundamental driver Charles Leclerc additionally praised {the teenager} after claiming his sixth successive top-two end in qualifying, saying: “On Ollie’s side, he has done an incredible job.
“With just one session in FP3 he was straight up to the mark and cozy with the automotive, so it is good.
“I’m happy for him, obviously. It’s a very special day and the first race in Ferrari having only done one session I guess is even more special.
“I hope tomorrow we will each have an important race and rating sturdy factors for the group.”
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Sainz out with appendicitis
Sainz, 29, was recognized with appendicitis and can “require surgery”, Ferrari mentioned in a press release earlier on Friday.
He missed media rounds in Jeddah on Thursday however participated in two follow periods later within the day.
Confirming he was out for the remainder of the weekend, Ferrari mentioned: “As from FP3 and for the rest of this weekend, he will be replaced by reserve driver Oliver Bearman. Oliver will therefore take no further part in this round of the Formula 2 Championship.
“The Ferrari household needs Carlos a speedy restoration.”
Bearman, from Chelmsford, Essex, has been a part of the Ferrari Driver Academy since 2021.
Before the choice was made for Bearman to switch Sainz, he secured pole place in F2 qualifying in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
Previously, he drove for Haas throughout follow periods in Mexico and Abu Dhabi final season.
The teenager completed sixth in his debut F2 marketing campaign final 12 months, profitable three function races and one dash race.
Sainz’s future at Ferrari appears to be like unsure, with Hamilton becoming a member of the group for the 2025 season.
The Spaniard completed on the rostrum in third within the first race of the season in Bahrain final weekend, whereas Leclerc, 26, completed fourth.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen – the reigning F1 champion – gained final weekend’s race in Bahrain and is in pole place for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Source: information.sky.com”