This is what I was born to do – Oliver Bearman ‘living the dream' in Formula One
British driver Oliver Bearman says he is 'living the dream' in Formula One as the youngster widely tipped as a future Ferrari star gears up for the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix.
Bearman, 20, was thrust into the F1 spotlight in March 2024 when he was parachuted into Carlos Sainz's Ferrari at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after the Spaniard was struck by appendicitis.
The London-born Ferrari academy driver took to it like a duck to water, finishing seventh on debut – one which Lewis Hamilton called 'incredible' – and was also called into action twice more last season when deputising for Kevin Magnussen at Haas.
His performances were enough to earn him a permanent seat with the American team for this season and a chance to fulfil his childhood ambitions.
'Of course I am living the dream and this is what I was born to do,' Bearman told the PA news agency.
'I am really happy to be here and if I can pass on some of that happiness and motivation to the team members then I am doing my job well.'
Bearman admits his maiden full F1 season is still throwing up 'pinch-me moments', as he competes with drivers he grew up watching such as seven-time world champion Hamilton and the evergreen 43-year-old Fernando Alonso.
'In the heat of the moment you do not think about who is in the car, you just think about trying to overtake that car,' Bearman added.
'But it is special looking back that I have been following these guys my entire life and now I am sharing the track with them, it's a really nice feeling.'
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Ollie Bearman (@olliebearman)
Bearman, who has six points from the first seven races, admits he has found it difficult to consistently unlock the performance of his Haas.
Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve applauded the British star's 'aggressive' driving style earlier in the season – a style Bearman believes is well suited to F1.
'I'll take that. The F1 car seems to naturally play to my strengths I guess. I always feel comfortable in the car and agree with it at the moment,' he said.
'It is just a natural feeling, this is how I have always extracted performance from the car. F1 seems to be a little more natural and second nature for me.'
Bearcon trying to change passing rules of Rugby 🏉 😆
Thanks for the pre-race warm up @Federugby 🙌🇮🇹 #HaasF1 #F1 #ImolaGP pic.twitter.com/UHJCHQWv9o
— MoneyGram Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) May 18, 2025
Bearman remains part of the Ferrari family and Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has spoken previously of how it would be a sign of recognition for the team if the Scuderia decide to give the 20-year-old a seat in the future.
But Bearman says his full focus is on delivering for Haas.
'It is not something that I think about honestly,' he added.
'I have always had that attachment to Ferrari and that is just natural coming through the academy. But I just try to focus on the job at hand and at the moment my career is lying with Haas.
'Whatever comes as a result of that comes as a result of that.'
This weekend sees the F1 circus roll into Monte Carlo for the sport's most prestigious event and one that Monaco-resident Bearman is relishing.
'I am so excited for that. It's going to be insane and it will be nice to sleep in my own bed,' Bearman said.
'It will be a special weekend. F2 on the streets of Monaco was special enough, so F1 is going to be incredible.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
17 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Rickie Fowler thrilled with Open Championship ticket as he silences critics' taunts
Popular American buzzing for Royal Portrush after super show at The Memorial Resurgent Rickie Fowler is thrilled to be going The Open having jammed criticism down the throats of snipers. The Californian star's top 10 finish behind winner Scottie Scheffler at The Memorial earned him a place in July's 153rd Championship at Royal Portrush. Fowler finished tied-sixth at the Northern Irish venue six years ago as Shane Lowry strode to success and now gets a chance to return having fought his way through struggles and qualified the hard way. The 36-year-old can't wait to get across the Atlantic and said: 'We're heading the right way. This week still could have been a lot better, but a definite positive is going over to Portrush. That's one I've wanted on the schedule. I had a great time when we were there the last and had a decent showing as well. Links golf's my favourite. "Portrush is a great spot, so excited for that opportunity. I knew top 10 (would be enough). That was obviously what I needed. Like I said, I left a lot out there and could have played a lot better, but still a nice step in the right direction.' Fowler's efforts were payback for the faith shown in him by the backers of The Memorial, Workday. Due to his slump in the rankings, the American star has not qualified for signature events this season in the States and been forced to rely on invites. His popularity means he always seems to get a pick along with Jordan Spieth, but that has drawn criticism over the meritocracy of the system to make such events. However, Fowler answered the sniping at Muirfield Village and said: 'With the position I've been in, not having played well and not being in these elevated events and having to hope and pray for sponsor invites, definitely very thankful to Workday and everyone involved with the tournament giving me the opportunity here. "And then not being in the majors. I've been thinking about that at times. I'm in a lot better spot now versus earlier in the year or going into where I was last year. I've been fighting hard and putting a lot of work in and trying to stay as patient as possible. I'm starting to finally see some good things and that work starts to pay off. So I'm excited for tournaments heading up.' Having secured his place at Portrush, Fowler's next task is to try to earn his spot in the US Open at Oakmont. He is in Monday qualifying as he looks to make it an Open double and said: 'Long day, hopefully we saved all the putts because nothing went in or wanted to go in Sunday. Let's see if we can play some solid golf and go get ourselves a tee time at Oakmont and go from there.'
Scottish Sun
39 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Rangers ‘interested in Jamie Vardy swoop as they eye sensational deal for Premier League legend'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RANGERS are reportedly among the clubs showing interest in Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy. The 38-year-old striker is a free agent after leaving the Foxes at the end of his contract. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 3 Jamie Vardy acknowledges the fans following his final appearance at Leicester City Credit: Getty 3 Leicester City's Jamie Vardy silences Ipswich crowd after scoring Credit: Reuters 3 Vardy in action in final game for Leicester Credit: Getty He scored nine goals in the Premier League last season, which was not enough to keep Leicester from being relegated. Vardy has been linked with moves to clubs in England, Spain, the MLS and Saudi Arabia. And it now seems Rangers - under new American ownership - could also be in the hunt for his signature, according to the Daily Mail. The England international struck 200 times for Leicester in 500 appearances after signing for £1million from Fleetwood Town in 2012. He fired Leicester to a historic Premier League title in 2016 with 24 goals that season. Leicester's success is widely considered to be one of the best sporting achievements, starting the campaign as 5000/1 outsiders. They also clinched their first FA Cup in 2021 in what was a remarkable period for the club. Rangers icon Ally McCoist, who revealed he tried to sign the striker during his spell as manager at the club, recently said he would "take him in two minutes". He told TalkSport in 2020: "I remember looking at him when he was at Fleetwood and I was at Rangers. "I had John Brown, my chief scout, look at him two or three times and it was an absolute no-brainer but we couldn't get the money to sign him. Emotional Leicester fans say 'delete this' as club share pics of Jamie Vardy packing his things into a cardboard box "He's been fantastic. I couldn't get the money at that time, and we weren't talking about a lot of money. "It was unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable. It was more the position our club was in at that particular time to tell you the truth. "Thankfully for Jamie he made the correct decision and never let me anywhere near him!" The Rangers revolution is beginning at Ibrox with the club under new American ownership. They are also being linked with Europa League winner Almamy Toure. The 29-year-old defender is a free agent after leaving German second division side Kaiserslautern. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Russell feels Verstappen should have been disqualified at Spanish GP
A processional race at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya – which was won by Oscar Piastri as he extended his championship advantage over second-placed Lando Norris from three points to 10 – came alive on lap 64 of 66 when a furious Verstappen and Russell came to blows. Following a safety-car restart, Verstappen fell off the road as he attempted to defend fourth position from Russell. He rejoined ahead of the Mercedes driver but was advised by his Red Bull team to concede the position. Drama in the closing stages of the race! 😱 Max Verstappen drops to P10 following a 10-second penalty for causing a collision with George Russell #F1 #SpanishGP — Formula 1 (@F1) June 1, 2025 Verstappen slowed down at Turn 5 to allow Russell past, but then accelerated and drove into his rival's Mercedes. 'What the f***'?' Russell said on the radio. Verstappen later moved out of Russell's way, and crossed the line in fifth. However, he was hit with a 10-second penalty by the stewards – demoting him to 10th – and also punished with three penalty points on his licence which leaves him just one point away from a race ban. In commentary for Sky Sports, Nico Rosberg said Verstappen's sanction was too lenient and that he should have been shown a black flag – an immediate disqualification. And when the 2016 world champion's claim was put to Russell, the Englishman replied: 'If it was truly deliberate then absolutely, because you cannot deliberately crash into another driver. 'We are putting our lives on the line. We are fortunate the cars are as safe as they are these days but we shouldn't take it for granted. 'It felt very deliberate. It is something I have seen numerous times in sim racing and go-karts. I have never seen it in a Formula One race. It felt strange, bizarre and I really don't know what was going through his mind. 'It is a shame because Max is one of the best drivers in the world but manoeuvres like that are totally unnecessary. It lets him down, and it is a shame for all of the young kids looking up to us, aspiring to be Formula One drivers.' Responding to Russell's criticism, Verstappen said: 'Well, I'll bring some tissues next time. 'He has his view, I have my view. It's better not to comment. In life you shouldn't regret too many things. (I have) no regrets.' Verstappen had just lost third place to Charles Leclerc after he opened the door to the Ferrari driver when he made a mistake on the exit of the final corner in a six-lap shootout to the flag following the deployment of a safety car. Russell then attempted to sling his Mercedes underneath Verstappen's Red Bull at the first corner before the Dutchman took to the escape road and remained ahead of the Briton. McLaren's Oscar Piastri celebrates his victory (Bradley Collyer/PA) 'Max, can you let Russell through, please?' said Verstappen's race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase. 'What? I was ahead, mate. What the f***! He just ran me off the road.' Explaining their decision to hit Verstappen with a 10-second penalty – which leaves him a distant 49 points adrift of Piastri in the championship – the stewards said: 'From the radio communications, it was clear that the driver of Car 1 (Verstappen) was asked by his team to 'give the position back' to Car 63 (Russell) for what they perceived to be an earlier breach by Car 1 for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage (in fact, we had later determined that we would take no further action in relation to that incident). 'The driver of Car 1 was clearly unhappy with his team's request to give the position back. At the approach to Turn 5, Car 1 significantly reduced its speed thereby appearing to allow Car 63 to overtake. 'However, after Car 63 got ahead of Car 1 at the entry of Turn 5, Car 1 suddenly accelerated and collided with Car 63. The collision was undoubtedly caused by the actions of Car 1.'
