Oliver Bearman

Bio

Oliver Bearman was born on May 8, 2005, in Chelmsford, Essex, England. A product of the Ferrari Driver Academy, Bearman showed exceptional talent from his earliest karting days, winning titles at national and international level before making the transition to single-seater racing. Bearman's junior formula career included impressive campaigns in Formula 4 (winning the Italian F4 championship), Formula 3, and Formula 2. Throughout these categories, he demonstrated the speed, consistency, and racecraft that earned him Ferrari's trust and backing. His introduction to Formula 1 came in the most dramatic circumstances imaginable. At the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz was forced to withdraw due to appendicitis. Bearman, who was competing in the F2 support races that weekend, was called up as an emergency replacement with virtually no preparation time. Despite the pressure of debuting for the most famous team in F1 at one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar, Bearman delivered a remarkable seventh-place finish, beating established F1 drivers and impressing the entire paddock. He made additional substitute appearances during 2024, each time performing with composure and speed that belied his inexperience. These performances confirmed his readiness for a full-time F1 seat and secured his future in the sport. Now racing full-time, Bearman brings youthful enthusiasm, raw speed, and the kind of temperament under pressure that is rare in drivers twice his age. His close ties to Ferrari mean he is being closely watched as a potential future driver for the Scuderia. With his talent and the backing of F1's most historic team, Bearman has the ingredients for a long and successful F1 career.