Flavio Briatore, Gunther Steiner, and even Toto Wolff have joined the chorus of praise for teenager Oliver Bearman following his standout one-off appearance for Ferrari last weekend.
Briatore, the former Renault boss still active in Formula 1 and Fernando Alonso’s management, hailed Bearman’s performance as exceptional during an interview with Rai 1 broadcaster.
“He definitely has something,” Briatore remarked, hinting at Bearman’s potential. “What exactly? Time will tell. But he came out of nowhere and performed admirably. Finishing the race competitively amidst seasoned drivers is commendable.”
Bearman, a Ferrari junior and Formula 2 driver, returned to the cockpit of an F1 car – Ferrari’s 2022 model – at Fiorano this week. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Carlos Sainz’s fitness to return for the upcoming Australian Grand Prix after his appendix surgery.
There is now speculation linking Bearman with a full-time F1 debut next year with the Ferrari-powered Haas team. Former Haas team principal Steiner expressed optimism about Bearman’s future, stating, “Hopefully, he’ll refocus on Formula 2 and make his full-time F1 debut next year. He’s undeniably talented and displays remarkable maturity as a driver and as a person.”
Meanwhile, Mercedes team principal Wolff is closely monitoring Bearman’s progress, particularly as Bearman’s F2 teammate this year is Wolff’s protege, Kimi Antonelli. With rumors circulating that Antonelli could replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next year, Wolff’s interest in young talent is evident.
Wolff’s visit to the Imola circuit for a GT3 car test operated by Antonelli’s father was documented for next year’s Drive To Survive series, capturing a candid moment when Wolff brushed the wall at Rivazza corner.
Commenting on Bearman’s performance in Saudi Arabia, Wolff acknowledged his impressive job but emphasized that the younger generation generally demonstrates remarkable strength. “For me, Kimi stands out among them,” Wolff stated in an interview with the Osterreich newspaper. He also noted that today’s Formula 1 cars, with power steering, are easier to handle compared to Formula 2 cars.
