Yesterday at the Fiorano track, Ferrari’s young talent, Oliver Bearman, had the incredible opportunity to step into a Formula 1 car for the very first time. This promising member of the Ferrari Driver Academy covered over 400 kilometers in the cockpit of the SF21, a car that raced two seasons ago in Formula 1. This experience was a crucial part of his preparation for his upcoming drive in the Ferrari-powered Haas VF-23 during the first free practice session for the Mexico City Grand Prix.
The feeling was truly unforgettable for Oliver. He arrived early at the track for the pre-test briefing to discuss the day’s schedule. The primary goal was to complete the required 300 kilometers to become eligible for an official round of the world championship, all while practicing for qualifying and race scenarios. Impressively, Oliver provided valuable feedback to the team, showcasing a level of maturity that defies his age, considering he just turned 18 in May. Oliver’s parents were present to witness this significant milestone, and he openly admitted to feeling a few nerves on this momentous occasion.
“If you think I wasn’t excited, you’d be mistaken. I can’t deny that last night I struggled to get to sleep. I don’t think I’ll ever forget this day, with my parents on hand and I’m told my mother got quite excited when I drove out of the garage in the Ferrari.” – he pointed out, at the end of the testing session in Fiorano.
When asked about the technical aspects of this special day at Fiorano behind the wheel of the SF-21 car, Oliver explained that “the engineers guided me step by step for the first few laps, then as I gained confidence in the car I started to really enjoy it. I was prepared for the enormous amount of power on hand, as I had already driven a Formula 1 car on the simulator. But what really surprised me was the level of grip, which is harder to feel sitting in the sim and it’s crazy when compared to the amount you have with the Formula 2 car I’m racing at the moment. The other surprising thing is the level of downforce on these cars, it’s just incredible. Thank you to the Scuderia for making me feel part of the group right away and everyone at Ferrari who made this unforgettable day possible.” – the Ferrari junior concluded.
Hailing from Chelmsford, UK, Oliver’s journey began in 2005, and he is now into his second year as part of the prestigious Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA). His entry into the FDA was a result of his remarkable victory at the 2021 FDA Scouting World Finals, where he outshone a pool of incredibly talented individuals from around the globe. In that same year, Oliver achieved widespread recognition by clinching both the Italian and German Formula 4 championships, an extraordinary feat marked by an impressive total of 17 victories (11 in Italy and six in Germany).
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In 2022, he continued to impress by making his mark in Formula 3, competing with the Prema team. He secured a commendable third-place finish in the championship, securing one race win. This year, he took the leap into Formula 2, once again with the Prema team. With just one round left in Abu Dhabi, he currently boasts four race victories, making him the second-highest race winner in the series. Notably, three of these victories were achieved in the Feature Race. As it stands, Oliver holds the sixth position in the championship standings.
Following his drive in the Haas VF-23 in Mexico, Oliver will once again take on the role of participating in a free practice session with the team in Abu Dhabi. This busy weekend will also see him juggling his Formula 2 commitments as he continues to make a name for himself on the racing scene.
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