Oliver Bearman says he feels proud of the praise from seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton after his strong performance at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last weekend.
The 18-year-old British driver stood in for Carlos Sainz Jnr in Jeddah after the Spaniard required surgery to treat appendicitis.
Bearman qualified 11th and finished the race in seventh, becoming the youngest driver to score points on his race debut which earned him the Driver of the Day award.
Lewis was first to congratulate Ollie after his stellar drive ????????#F1 #SaudiArabianGP pic.twitter.com/MShV0xuX9P
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 9, 2024
Hamilton said of Bearman’s performance in Jeddah: “To be pulled out of your class and put straight into a Ferrari, a top team, and have to go straight into practice without long runs and all those sort of things, I think he did such a phenomenal job this weekend and it just shows that he’s really a bright future star,”
Responding to Hamilton’s praise, Bearman stated: “It was a proud day for me. For them to say these kind words was really nice – especially the older guys like Fernando and Lewis.
“I grew up watching them. To share the track with them was an honour.”
F1 heads to Melbourne next weekend but it is yet to be confirmed if Sainz will be fit enough to be in the car or if Bearman will continue to take his place.
