13 March 2024 , 12:57
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Oliver Bearman is already back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car after his dream debut in Jeddah last weekend.
The British teenager was called up at short notice to race for Ferrari after Carlos Sainz was struck down by appendicitis. The Spaniard needed surgery, leaving the 18-year-old to make a surprise debut racing in the famous red of the Scuderia.
He performed admirably, building on a solid qualifying to finish seventh. He even took the chequered flag ahead of Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton - George Russell was the only Briton on track to finish higher than Bearman.
Sainz was back in the paddock to watch the race and, as it stands, is expected to return to his seat for the Australian Grand Prix later this month. But reserve driver Bearman remains on standby in case he is needed to fill in again.
And he hasn't even had to wait that long for his next taste of an F1 car. Ferrari announced on Wednesday that Bearman was at the team's Fiorano track testing the F1-75 car that was used in the 2021 world championship.
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Sainz expects to be back in action in Melbourne, telling fans on social media: "I'm feeling a lot better. Obviously, now my focus is on recovering and trying to be ready, as you can imagine, for the next race. It will not be easy, it will be tight, but I think I can hopefully make it."
Bearman's eye-catching debut has thrust him into serious contention, if he wasn't already, for a race seat on the 2025 grid. Ferrari have a full driver line-up with Charles Leclerc set to be joined by Hamilton, but have relationships with other teams that could lead to the teenager being placed with one of their customers.
He has already taken part in practice sessions for Haas and the American squad is Bearman's most likely destination. But, for now, team principal Ayao Komatsu says he is committed to veterans Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen, whose current contracts expire at the end of the year.
Reflecting on Bearman's performance, the Japanese said: "Amazing - this circuit is not the easiest circuit to jump in from FP3. So I'm very, very happy for him and [he was] impressive. He deserves a chance next year, I guess.
"[But], penalty aside, Kev's done fantastic today. Nico delivered as well. So how can I sit here and say, [Bearman is] 'our driver for next year'? Based on today's performance, [it's] Nico and Kevin."