Oliver Bearman, having impressed in his F1 debut, reveals his preferred racing number, 87, eyeing a full-time Formula 1 seat.
Oliver Bearman has revealed the driver number he would choose if he secures a full-time seat in Formula 1 in the future.
The British driver made an impressive debut in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last weekend, stepping in for Carlos Sainz after the Spaniard was sidelined due to appendicitis.
The Briton was back in an F1 car yesterday at Fiorano, where he drove a 2022 Ferrari F1-75, as the regulations on older F1 cars allow. Ferrari continues to prepare him in case he needs to race in Melbourne, as Sainz’s return is not 100% certain.
During the weekend, Bearman sported the number 38, the number assigned to Ferrari for running a reserve driver in Free Practice 1 sessions.
Bearman stated that his real number would be 87, which he plans to choose if he secures a seat in the future.
“I didn’t choose 38, my choice would be 87, my racing number. That will be my racing number in F1. So, I hope to use it soon. For now, it’s just what we were given by the rules for reserves.”
Bearman would be the first driver to use the number 87 since drivers began selecting their own number in 2014.
While waiting to see if he will race in Melbourne, Bearman says his focus has shifted back to F2.
“Of course, after taking pole in F2, I was a bit disappointed not to finish the weekend. But when an opportunity like this comes up, you can’t not take it. I’m really glad I went for it and I think I put in a good performance for myself.”
“Now, unless there’s another nice surprise for me in Melbourne, it’s back to F2. It’ll be a tough championship, as I’m already two rounds behind everyone. In Bahrain, it was a bit different, but in Jeddah, I think I could have scored some good points.”
“Either way, I have more points in F1 than in F2 at this stage. So, I have some work to do.”
Note that McLaren also used a 2022 F1 car, the MCL36, for testing at Imola yesterday with Oscar Piastri (photo below). Today, the program will continue with Ryo Hirakawa. The track, located just 70 kilometers from Fiorano, will host this year’s championship’s seventh round in May.
Bearman Future F1 Number. Bearman Future F1 Number.
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