Oliver Bearman is on everyone’s lips after his spontaneous debut in Formula 1. Günther Steiner knows the Ferrari substitute from his time as Haas team boss. The RTL expert sees the British youngster prepared for the future.
“Ollie was good,” summarized Steiner in an exclusive conversation with RTL/ntv and sport.de. Bearman stepped in for Carlos Sainz at short notice from the third free practice session at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The Spanish veteran was missing due to appendicitis.
Bearman, a substitute driver at Scuderia alongside Antonio Giovinazzi and Robert Shwartzman, impressed in the Ferrari car. After finishing eleventh in qualifying, the 18-year-old climbed to seventh position in the race and thus immediately picked up points in his first Formula 1 race.
Steiner knows Bearman very well, as the young hopeful completed two rookie training sessions at Haas last season. The youngster was “very mature as a racing driver” for his age and “very down-to-earth as a person,” said the former team boss of the US racing team, describing his impressions.
“I was never worried that something would happen during the free practice sessions. He was always in control. He never tried to do more than he could. I’d rather do 98 percent than 101. I think he can do that pretty well,” praised Steiner.
Formula 1: Steiner believes there is a chance for Bearman
Now the question inevitably arises: What is possible for Bearman in Formula 1 in the future? In order to be able to make a final assessment, the Briton would first have to “drive a whole season,” said Steiner, “but the start was good.”
The RTL expert emphasized that Bearman has a good family around him. “He’s giving himself time. Hopefully he’ll now concentrate on Formula 2 again and then wait. I think he’ll definitely make his full-time debut in Formula 1 next year. He’s a talent,” said Steiner.
Bearman currently competes in Formula 2 for Prema Racing.