Formula One: Ferrari teen Oliver Bearman hailed by rivals, ex-champions after ‘incredible’ debut in Saudi Arabia
- British rookie, 18, scores points in Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after stepping in for stricken Carlos Sainz only the day before
- Bearman earns hugs from Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, while Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc calls him ‘hugely impressive’
“A star is born” was the verdict after Ferrari’s teenage rookie Oliver Bearman finished an impressive seventh on his Formula One debut at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The 18-year-old Briton was only told he was replacing appendicitis victim Carlos Sainz on Friday, but drove with the cool aplomb of a seasoned campaigner to score points in his first outing on Saturday night, local time – after only one practice session.
“Star is born now,” 1996 world champion Damon Hill wrote on X. “To jump in at such short notice, on a track as intimidating as Jeddah, in a Ferrari of all things, and hold up under immense pressure and keep it together … Wow.”
Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who finished ninth for Mercedes in a race won easily by three-time champion Max Verstappen ahead of his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez, applauded his young compatriot from his cockpit on his slow-down lap.
Team bosses and rival drivers followed with warm words for Bearman, who was not only the youngest driver in Ferrari’s F1 history but the youngest Briton to race in the sport.
He was also the third youngest of all time, behind Lance Stroll and Verstappen.