Oliver Bearman Breaks Ferrari Hero’s 62-Year-Old Record at Saudi Arabian GP

Oliver Bearman is the freshest name on the circuit and as he enters Formula 1, he has managed to break a 62-year-old Ferrari record. Coming in from pole position in the F2 Saudi Arabian qualifier straight to F1, driving for the most legendary team, Bearman is set to substitute Carlos Sainz Jr. as he recovers from appendicitis.

This tragic moment for the Tifosi brings in an opportunity for the young driver to jump into the league. Called in as a substitute for Carlos Sainz Jr, he will be taking the wheel at just 18 years and 10 months, making him the youngest driver ever to drive for Ferrari.

The youngest Ferrari F1 driver

Ferrari has always preferred experienced drivers and it’s been over 62 years since a teenager made his debut for the Maranello-based outfit. Peter Windsor made a note of this in his late podcast saying, “I’m trying to imagine what it must be like to win the poll in the Formula 2 race and then to get the phone call saying you’re racing Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari on Saturday night.”

Talking about the previous holder of the record, Windsor said, “I think it was worth remembering this—breaking a 62-year-old record set by Ricardo Rodriguez, Pedro Rodriguez’s younger brother, in 1961.” Ricardo Rodriguez was the first Mexican to race in Formula 1 when he made his debut for the Scuderia in 1961 at the Italian Grand Prix. His age was 19 years and 208 days when he first donned the Ferrari red. However, Bearman, who made his debut at the age of 18 years and 305 days, now holds the record.

Starting at P11 at the Saudi Arabian GP, the Briton driver has been performing quite well, leaving fans wondering if he will be the newest wanted driver on the grid. Although this might just be a one-off race for the driver, there are chances that because of his young age, he might get a seat at Haas or even Ferrari.

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Oliver Bearman also has 2 more years left on his super license, and with experience with F1, his performance at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will decide his future career. The driver was promoted to F1 for the substitution, leaving behind his F2 race where he would have started at pole. But now, with him behind the wheel of the pinnacle of motorsport, will he impress F1?

Oliver Bearman’s possible F1 draft

Oliver Bearman performed quite well at the Saudi Arabian Qualifiers, placing right behind 7 time world champion, Lewis Hamilton. There could be no better way to start off his career while being the youngest Ferrari debut since Ricardo Rodriguez. Bearman first got to drive an F1 car in 2023 where he was substituting for Kevin Magnussen in Haas.

The driver landed the role as Haas uses the Ferrari engine and that’s why the team made a call to bring him in. Although he participated only in the Free Practice, he showed promise with the way he maneuvered the car. That being said, does this debut mean scoring a deal by the end of 2024 for Bearman? Will he drive well enough to impress the Formula 1 community? And will he be the next rising star since Max Verstappen on the track? Only time will tell, but you can let us know your opinion in the comments below.

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