Oliver Bearman eyes 2025 F1 drive after Ferrari cameo

It was a dream scenario for any driver on the cusp of climbing that next rung on the motorsport ladder, no matter the circumstances with Carlos Sainz Jr. sustaining appendicitis, resulting in Bearman being given just two hours' notice to prepare ahead of the final practice session.

There were those who privately felt such an opportunity would expose Bearman, that it was too much too soon, and rather than aiding his progress, it would ultimately set him back. How wrong they were.

Bearman had at least been given a 'sighter' of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, self-proclaimed as the fastest street track in the world, and arguably one of the most difficult to master, by delivering in F2 as he secured pole position. Whilst the difference in F1 and F2 machinery is naturally considerable, displaying a remarkable coolness despite being under intense pressure, the teenager came within 0.036 seconds of ousting Lewis Hamilton from the top-ten shootout.

When you consider he did not have a lap time on the board going into his crucial final lap in Q2, it was one hell of a performance, yet he conceded to being "disappointed" and "hurt" at what he saw as a failure to make it into Q3. He had clearly set a high bar for himself. Bearman additionally conceded there had been no time for nerves given how everything was quickly thrust upon him.

You could not say the same for race day, after a night to dwell on his time in the harshest of spotlights. Yet he acquitted himself superbly at the end of what was, without a doubt and by his own admission, the hardest, most demanding race of his burgeoning career, to such an extent Hamilton even helped him out of his SF-24.

"I was struggling a bit because it was really physical," said Bearman. "With a race like this, it's one of the lowest degradation tracks of the season, and with one of the highest lateral Gs, so you're pretty much doing 50 qualifying laps, which is impressive."

Bearman had finished seventh at the chequered flag, a place behind Mercedes' George Russell, one ahead of Lando Norris in his McLaren, and two ahead of Hamilton. Not bad being the second best out of the four Britons to take part.

It was a pinch-yourself moment for Bearman who was only three years old when Hamilton won the first of his seven world titles in 2008, and yet here he was, over 15 years later, sharing the same track as one of the sport's greats.

After a taste of such rarified motorsport air, what next? Obviously, he returns to his 'day job' in F2, and attempts to resurrect a championship bid that started badly in Bahrain, and was additionally point-less in Saudi as he had to be withdrawn from the remainder of the event given his Ferrari call-up. Bearman felt he had done "a decent job", recognising that all he could do for now was "to keep pushing in F2 and keep his fingers crossed".

In reality, he could not have wished to have made his F1 bow at a more opportune time due to the number of seats available at the end of this season as half of the drivers on the grid are out of contract. Crucial for Bearman is that he has the backing of Ferrari, joining its Academy in late 2022 on the back of his double F4 title triumph the year before, and finishing third in his sole F3 campaign the following season. The obvious option for Bearman next season is with Haas. He drove for the team in two FP1 sessions in Mexico City and Abu Dhabi last season, and is due a further couple of practice outings with the team at some stage this year.

After his exploits in Saudi Arabia, Bearman stated he is "looking forward to building up a relationship and gaining more miles in the car". Additionally, and pertinently, he added: "Hopefully, a door can open there. That would be fantastic."

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur was naturally guarded as to what the future holds, while Haas counterpart Ayao Komatsu was unable to give any indication as to his driver line-up for next season. Komatsu was, however, unequivocal in his praise. "Amazing!", was his initial impression of Bearman's Saudi experience.

Tellingly, he added: "Of course, in Mexico and Abu Dhabi, straight away, it was totally clear to me and most of us that he is something special. It's not just the speed, he's just the total package, he understands the objectives, and he handled himself very well.

"Even during the (practice) session, on one run, he did a push lap, cool-down lap, and he was able to absorb the information from the previous lap, and then make minor adjustments to make the next lap better. So things like that, he just showed his maturity straightaway as if he's been doing it for some years."

Komatsu made clear that Bearman "deserves a chance next year", but as to whether he could replace Nico Hulkenberg or Kevin Magnussen, the Japanese was appreciably guarded. The bottom line is that Komatsu has two experienced drivers on his roster, and now in a car that appears to have taken a step forward, certainly compared to last year's machinery that chewed up its tyres during a grand prix and plunged down the order.

With another 22 races of the season remaining, Komatsu will afford Hulkenberg and Magnussen every opportunity to continue to prove they deserve to remain in place for a third season as a pairing in 2025.

Bearman will have to be patient and bide his time. If his performance in Saudi Arabia proved anything, however, it is that he appears to be a driver who does not get fazed by anything. That will stand him in good stead as the upcoming months drag on and a future in F1 hangs in the balance.

Images courtesy of Motorsport Images.