Ollie Bearman: The Rising Star of Formula One

Before making it to the pinnacle of motorsport, Ollie Bearman had a dream, just like many aspiring karting drivers. He aimed to be among the 20 fastest drivers in Formula One. Growing up in a motorsport-passionate family, Ollie developed a love for cars from a young age. Initially, most people knew him as “the guy who replaced Sainz in Saudi Arabia”. However, he quickly proved that he was so much more than that.

Early Life and Karting Success

Oliver James Bearman was born in Chelmsford, England, on May 8, 2005. His father, David Bearman, raced in the GT racing series. This background sparked Ollie's determination to race. At just six years old, Ollie entered a go-kart for the first time. He received his first go-kart for Christmas that same year.

Ollie practiced whenever he could and began competitive karting at age eight. His karting career was highly successful. Ollie won multiple championships, including:

• Kartmasters British Grand Prix - Honda Cadet in 2017

• IAME Winter Cup - X30 Junior in 2019

• IAME Euro Series - X30 Junior in 2019

• IAME International Final - X30 Junior in 2019

• IAME Winter Cup - X30 Senior in 2020

  
  

Step into Single-Seaters

In 2020, Ollie made his single-seater debut in the ADAC F4 championship and competed in three rounds of Italian F4. He finished P7 in the ADAC Formula 4 championship with 144 points, 5 podiums, and 2 wins. In the Italian F4 series, Ollie concluded with a P10 standing, securing 2 podiums and 1 win. After this season, he earned a spot in the Ferrari Academy by winning the Ferrari Academy Scouting World Final, alongside Rafael Camara.

Building on his success, Ollie began the 2021 season racing in both the Italian and German F4 series with Van Amersfoort Racing. He dominated the Italian F4 championship, winning races consecutively. Although he faced a disqualification for an engine irregularity in Monza, he clinched the Italian F4 championship with two rounds to spare. Ollie finished the season with 343 points, 15 podiums, and an impressive 11 wins.

The German F4 championship saw Ollie continue to dominate, ultimately winning the title in the final race. He ended the season P1 in the standings with 295 points, 11 podiums, and 5 wins. In September 2021, he was nominated for the Autosport BRDC Award. By December 2021, he received the Henry Surtees Award for the most outstanding performance by a BRDC rising star.

Competing in GB3 Championship and F3

Ollie competed in the GB3 Championship with Fortec Motorsports while maintaining his commitments to Italian and German F4 championships. He kicked off his GB3 journey with two second-place finishes in Brands Hatch but had to skip three rounds to focus on F4. After returning, he won the opening round at Snetterton. Unfortunately, due to a tire issue at Silverstone, he couldn't continue with the rest of the GB3 season, finishing P14 in the standings with 163 points.

By the end of 2021, Ollie was announced as a driver for Prema Racing in the 2022 F3 season, alongside Jak Crawford and Arthur Leclerc.

Ollie began the F3 season strong, initially claiming victory in a race. However, a penalty for track limit violations demoted him to P2. He quickly adjusted and scored numerous podiums, including a win at Spa, putting him in title contention. Despite his efforts, he finished P3 in the championship, just seven points behind champion Victor Martins, closing the season with 132 points, 8 podiums, and 1 win.

Transition to Formula 2

For the 2023 season, Ollie stepped up to Formula 2 with Prema Racing, partnering with Fredrik Vesti. His F2 journey began rocky, recording finishes like P15 in the Bahrain Sprint and a DNF in Jeddah. However, things changed in Baku, where Ollie achieved his first pole position and won the race, becoming the second-youngest race winner in Formula 2 history. He also became the ninth driver in GB2 and F2 history to accomplish “the double”.

Following some inconsistent performances, he found his stride again, achieving additional pole positions and wins, concluding his rookie season P6 in the championship standings. He racked up 130 points, 5 podiums, 4 wins, 2 pole positions, and 2 fastest laps. This success made the 18-year-old a favorite for the F2 title in 2024.

In 2024, Ollie remained with Prema Racing, now partnered with rookie Kimi Antonelli. At first, Bearman faced challenges, qualifying P18 for the Bahrain season opener. But by Jeddah, he rebounded to qualify P1. However, he received a last-minute call from Ferrari to replace Carlos Sainz due to an appendix burst. This led to a strong debut, qualifying P11 and finishing P7.

Bearman stood by for the Australian Grand Prix but returned to F2 and recorded his first points of the season. Throughout the season, he achieved strong results, including winning sprints and placing well in various stages. However, he also faced setbacks, such as a DNF in Miami. Nevertheless, his journey was filled with notable achievements.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Ollie Bearman

As of July 2024, Ollie was announced as a full-time Formula One driver for Haas, signing a multi-year contract alongside Esteban Ocon. The start of the season posed challenges, including crashes and gearbox issues. Despite finishing P14 in his first race, Ollie showed immense potential. He improved gradually, finishing P8 and P10 in subsequent races.

Although Ollie has faced setbacks this season, they won't define the driver he is becoming. With six races completed, many fans believe he will bounce back. Despite having financial support in his youth, Ollie’s accomplishments reflect his raw talent. There’s no doubt about his capabilities on the track. As he continues to adapt and grow, he has a strong team supporting him, making it exciting to see how the rest of the season unfolds.

Ollie Bearman's journey is far from over. This story illustrates not only his achievements but also the relentless spirit of a young driver aspiring to greatness in Formula One.

Written by: Evelyn Gibson