2024 F1 Season Review – Oliver Bearman

Oliver Bearman’s unexpected 2024 cameo delivered standout performances as he substituted for top teams, showcasing truly remarkable skill and earning future opportunities.

Bearman should not have been driving in Formula 1 this season, but fate offered him the chance to compete in three Grands Prix during which he did not disappoint.

In Saudi Arabia, Carlos Sainz took part in Friday’s running with Ferrari but then had to undergo an appendectomy, making him unavailable for the rest of the weekend. Bearman was therefore called in to stand in from FP3 onwards and, despite minimal preparation, he impressed in qualifying by finishing on the cusp of Q3.

His race would be equally remarkable, as he did not make a single error on an urban circuit prone to accidents. He showed patience in overtaking cars slower than his own, eventually finishing his first F1 race in seventh place, making a name for himself in the process. He even had the luxury of finishing ahead of his compatriots Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton.

After this very successful first outing, the British driver got a second chance to shine in Azerbaijan, where he replaced Kevin Magnussen—suspended at the time—at Haas F1. He once again qualified 11th by posting a faster time than Nico Hülkenberg, then secured a point for tenth place in the race, capitalizing on a chaotic end to the Grand Prix.

Bearman once more stepped in for the Danish driver in Brazil, as he was unwell, and managed, as in Baku, to beat Hülkenberg in qualifying despite being knocked out in Q1. His race was marked by several errors on an extremely tricky track due to the weather, and he crossed the finish line in 12th place after showing better pace than the German driver over the entire weekend.

Set to be a full-time Haas F1 driver in 2025, Bearman delivered very impressive performances during his three substitute appearances, and his presence on next season’s starting grid is fully justified. The hardest part probably begins now for the 19-year-old, and he will have to make a good impression alongside his new teammate Esteban Ocon. If he manages to hold his own against, or even outperform, the Frenchman, there is no doubt that Ferrari would seriously consider him for the future.

Statistics

Statistic	Value
Championship Position	18th with 7 points
Victories	0
Pole Positions	0
Podium Finishes	0
Fastest Laps	0
Hat Tricks	0
Grand Slams	0
Laps Led	0
Laps Completed	170 (11.77%)
Average Qualifying Position	13
Average Finishing Position	9.67