Carlos Sainz's Appendicitis: Oliver Bearman Steps In

Following Carlos Sainz’s appendicitis diagnosis, Oliver Bearman will replace him from Free Practice 3 at Jeddah, pausing his F2 weekend.

Carlos Sainz had a valid reason for feeling unwell on Wednesday in Jeddah and missing the media day. This morning, Ferrari announced that following further medical examinations, the Spaniard has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will undergo surgery.

From Free Practice 3 onwards for the remainder of the weekend, he will be substituted by reserve driver Oliver Bearman. Consequently, Oliver will not continue his weekend in Formula 2.

“Ferrari wishes Carlos a speedy recovery,” concludes the Scuderia’s statement.

Bearman has opted to carry the number 38 for his first Formula 1 Grand Prix, the same number he used in private testing. This will not be his permanent number.

Who is Oliver Bearman?

Oliver “Ollie” Bearman is an 18-year-old British driver (turning 19 in May). A member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, he clinched the Italian and German Formula 4 championships in 2021. In 2023, he joined the Formula 2 Championship with Prema Racing.

Bearman started karting in 2013, competing in his local karting club championship at Trent Valley Kart Club. He then progressed to competing in the Super 1 national championships, securing a best finish of second in 2016 and 2017, respectively, in the Cadet category. The Brit then won the Kartmasters Grand Prix in 2017. He concluded his karting career in 2019 by winning the IAME International Final, the IAME Euro Series, and the IAME Winter Cup.

In 2020, Bearman debuted in single-seaters in the ADAC Formula 4 Championship with US Racing, while also participating in three rounds of the Italian Formula 4 Championship with the German team. In the German championship, Bearman achieved his first victory at Hockenheim, followed by two more podiums at the Nurburgring and Oschersleben, finishing seventh overall, behind his teammate Tim Tramnitz. In the Italian championship, the Brit secured two podiums, including a victory at Vallelunga, finishing tenth overall.

For the 2021 season, Bearman joined Van Amersfoort Racing to contest a dual program in Formula 4, in both the German and Italian championships. In the Italian championship, he started his season with a third place at Paul Ricard circuit. After another podium in the same round, Bearman claimed two wins at Misano, three at Vallelunga, and two more at Imola. During the third race at Imola, Bearman was disqualified for a non-compliant engine, ending his winning streak. He secured his eighth victory of the season in the first race at the Red Bull Ring and finished on the podium in the second race of the event. In the penultimate round of the season, finishing tenth in the third race secured the title over Tim Tramnitz.

In the German championship, Bearman claimed six victories and eleven podiums. He secured the title against Tim Tramnitz during the round at the Nürburgring, after an intense battle with his German rival. He became the first driver to win both championships in the same season. In September 2021, Bearman was nominated for the Autosport BRDC Award, in recognition of his dual Formula 4 titles. In December 2021, Bearman received the Henry Surtees Award. With his two Formula 4 titles, Bearman contested three rounds of the British Formula 3 Championship with Fortec Motorsports. In the first round at Brands Hatch, he finished twice on the podium, coming in second. He won the first race at the Snetterton round, finished second in the second race of the Silverstone round, and came fourth in the third race of the event, ranking fourteenth with 163 points.

In 2022, Bearman competed in the last two rounds of the Formula Regional Asian Championship with Mumbai Falcons, alongside Dino Beganovic and Arthur Leclerc. He secured a podium by finishing third at the Dubai Autodrome round. He scored additional points at Yas Marina by finishing sixth in the first race, ending the season fifteenth with 29 points.

For the 2022 season, Bearman was promoted to FIA Formula 3 with Prema Racing, alongside Arthur Leclerc and Jak Crawford. He finished third in the championship with 132 points, notably winning the sprint race at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit and achieving 8 podiums throughout the season. He also announced his integration into the Ferrari Driver Academy.

In 2023, the Brit joined the Formula 2 Championship, again with Prema Racing, this time alongside Frederik Vesti. He clinched his first two victories with a double win in the Baku round. He then triumphed again in the main race of the Barcelona round, and in the Monza round.

This year, still with Prema Racing, Oliver Bearman participates in the 2024 Formula 2 Championship, this time paired with rookie Kimi Antonelli.

Carlos Sainz’s Appendicitis: Oliver Bearman Steps In. Carlos Sainz’s Appendicitis: Oliver Bearman Steps In