It’s one thing to be a Formula 1 driver, but something quite other to race for Ferrari in Formula 1.
In the same vein, signing up for the sport’s most popular, if also the most-talked-about team is one thing. But scoring points in one’s F1 debut with Ferrari is something altogether; it’s the rarest of feelings.
Most simply dream about donning the red racing overalls. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime scenario that happens to only a select few.
Though, where it comes to a certain Ollie Bearman, the 18-year-old can proudly talk about the fact that he did all the above and with some style most recently in motorsport’s top drive.
That in the process of scoring a fighting P7, thereby ensuring that both Ferraris collected points, he was elected the “Driver of the day” was by far the most standout facet about his F1 debut.
No other driver barring Bearman- calm, collected and simple- made four overtakes, a clear evidence of his talent and desire to excel.
However, much like most things that happen in the topsy turvy and sometimes turbulent world of Formula 1, Ollie Bearman’s maiden drive with Ferrari didn’t happen sans drama.
The very fact that the spirited youngster found himself seat belted inside the SF-24 in FP 3, which was just a few hours from competing in Formula 2 made the effort even more shiny in the end.
He might not have demonstrated rampant very Leclerc-esque pace but scoring an eleventh in his first attempt at qualifying was further proof that he does belong to the top tier in Motorsport racing. One top of that, given he was called in to fill in for Carlos Sainz jr., still Ferrari’s most recent Grand Prix winner, must not have been any easy.
Then to stand up valiantly to the ask of a team that elicits a reaction from around the world with every little thing it does was evidence of Bearman’s bravery.
When you drive for Ferrari, you’re judged more than you’re watched; you’re critiqued as much as you are chided at the back of the tiniest of mistakes.
But a week back in Formula 1, Ollie Bearman made no mistakes; he ended ahead of several unmistakably talented drivers of the class and reputation of Ricciardo, Magnussen, Hulkenberg, Bottas and the likes.
You can’t possibly put a finger on why they’re saying that Bearman’s gleeful debut was proof of Formula 1 being at its very best-can you?
The young English driver who became the third youngest ever to drive a Formula 1 car in a proper Grand Prix must have done something right to receive a bear hug from none other than the sport’s ruling elite: Sir Lewis Hamilton.
The sight of the seven time world champion waiting patiently for Ollie Bearman to walk out of the cockpit of his Ferrari #38 upon the race’s completion was in itself a beautiful occurrence.
Max Verstappen termed Ollie’s effort “fantastic”. Leclerc was all praise for his much younger teammate.
Sainz, one supposes, would’ve loved the effort.
And yet, as fascinating as Ollie Bearman’s stunning Jeddah drive is the question pertaining to the what next.
It’s not an easy question to answer for those who are to provide a fitting reply, Fred Vassuer and the Maranello think-tank in this case, will call the shots on a very promising career.
It’s a career that has a long way to go and is built on young legs and the desire to succeed. It’s also a career that has already indicated that it means serious business and is, hopefully, here to stay.
Forget not the four wins in F1’s feeder series just last year.
On his part, Fred Vassuer, appreciative but restrained at the same time about Bearman at Saudi Arabia, has asked one to not draw too many conclusions. The veteran who’s known for his penchant for close observation has encouraged Bearman to give his best in F2 for now.
The future, one expects, will take its own course and hopefully, then best possible shape. Lest it is forgotten, Bearman was the youngest on the F1 grid last week. There’s so much time on his hands and with it, doubtless talent. May the best happen to him.