Next Hamilton or Norris on the way as British racing starlet gets F1 debut

05 October 2023 , 14:50

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F1 starlet Oliver Bearman will get his first taste of driving an F1 car (Image: Getty Images)

Oliver Bearman will make his Formula 1 debut later this month with a practice drive in Mexico.

The 18-year-old from Chelmsford in Essex looks set to be the next British talent off the single-seater production line. He is a member of the Ferrari young drivers programme and is currently sixth in the Formula 2 standings in his debut season in the series.

A top-three finish remains in reach thanks to four race wins already for the teenager. And his performances and results have been strong enough to earn a first go behind the wheel of an F1 car.

Bearman, through his Ferrari links, will drive for Haas in first practice at the Mexican Grand Prix later this month. And he will do so again at the end of November before the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

"I am so happy to be joining MoneyGram Haas F1 Team driving in Mexico and Abu Dhabi," said the Brit. "Getting to Formula 1 has been my dream since I was go-karting so to be driving a car for the first time this year is really special.

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"I'm grateful to the team and, of course, Ferrari for allowing me this chance. I'm working hard to make sure I'm ready to support the team as best I can on both occasions." Haas chief Guenther Steiner heaped praise on the youngster.

He said: "We're very happy to offer Oliver Bearman these outings in Mexico and Abu Dhabi. He's had a stellar rookie season in Formula 2 – four wins is testament to that – and as part of the Ferrari Driver Academy, we know his background preparation coming into these weekends will be first-rate. We look forward to welcoming Oliver into the team and have him drive the VF-23."

Bearman's F1 bow was not the only piece of young driver news announced on Thursday. McLaren made public the news that they have snapped up Formula 3 champion Gabriel Bortoleto as a member of its own young driver programme.

The Brazilian, also 18, will work under programme leader Emanuele Pirro, a former F1 driver and winner at Le Mans. He joins a lengthy list of reserve drivers at McLaren, which also features the likes of IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward, Formula 4 starlet Ugo Ugochukwu and Japanese racer Ryo Hirakawa.

McLaren also announced the signing of Brando Badoer, son of former F1 racer Luca, as an optioned driver for 2024. He will be assessed over the course of the next 12 months before the team makes a decision over whether or not to extend an invitation for him to join their programme full-time.

Daniel Moxon