“I really feel guilty” – Oliver Bearman’s reaction to the team radios in China. China: Oliver Bearman’s amusing team radio went viral, but the Haas driver showed a different reaction.

Oliver Bearman left China with a good result, but it was his team radio that made the most noise, instantly becoming a trend. The Haas driver, one of this year’s rookies, redeemed himself after a disappointing Australian GP.

The #87 crossed the finish line in Shanghai in tenth place but gained two positions following the double disqualification of Ferrari’s Leclerc and Hamilton. Haas left the Chinese circuit with 14 points, including a fifth-place finish for Esteban Ocon.

The American team had plenty to celebrate: after two races, they are sixth in the Constructors’ Championship, ahead of Williams and Ferrari. Oliver Bearman even felt so confident about his car’s performance that he playfully taunted his rivals.

During some overtakes on track, the 2005-born driver greeted his competitors with a simple “Ciao!”. A humorous remark, in some ways a lighthearted tease toward those being overtaken by a rookie. However, Oliver Bearman later regretted it.

At the end of the race, the British driver was interviewed by Laura Winter and Jolyon Palmer, who greeted him with a loud “Ciao!” and asked him to explain the meaning behind it.

The rookie’s reaction was unexpected—Oliver Bearman appeared quite uncomfortable, realizing that his team radio had gone viral: “I really feel guilty. I overtook someone and said ‘Ciao.’”

Laura Winter confirmed that #87 repeated the phrase on two occasions—when passing Jack Doohan and Liam Lawson. “It was against one of the Red Bulls and Alpines. I was happy with those overtakes,” he explained about the spontaneous greeting.

In his post-race interviews with the media, the Ferrari junior, despite his young age, showed class and humility, stating that he never intended to be “disrespectful” to anyone. “I was simply happy and wanted to share it with the team, but I wouldn’t do it again.”- he pointed out – “I was really happy because overtaking in F1 is tough. Especially right now… We are struggling with top speed. You really have to prepare for an overtake for two or three laps and be very smart,” he continued, concluding: “I didn’t mean to be rude.” – the Ferrari Driver Academy member concluded.