Oliver Bearman has revealed that Lewis Hamilton was among the first well-wishers after the Briton’s Formula 1 debut – which “showed his genuine nature”
Haas driver Oliver Bearman has revealed that Lewis Hamilton was among the first well-wishers after the Briton made his Formula 1 debut at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as a replacement for Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz and immediately finished in the points.
“It’s really cool because Lewis was actually one of the first people in Jeddah to write to me, who came up to me after the race and showed his character and his genuine nature,” Bearman recalls in the podcast Up To Speed.
The now 20-year-old Briton had to stand in at very short notice for Sainz in 2024, who was suffering from appendicitis. Bearman surprised everyone back then with eleventh place in qualifying and seventh in the race, securing his first world championship points straight away.
Why Lewis Hamilton has “something very motivating”
“Obviously, we are at two very different stages in our careers,” emphasizes Bearman, who has been driving for the Haas team since last year, but is already being talked about as a possible successor to Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari due to his good performances.
“I’m just starting out, I’m very hungry and I want to achieve as much as I can. Lewis has achieved so much and I still think he’s incredibly hungry, even after obviously missing out on that title, but he’s the most successful driver in the history of Formula 1.”
“First of all, it’s really cool to share the grid with him, to see him performing at such a high level at his age is also very motivating,” says Bearman. “To see his greed and the fact that he comes back year after year.”
“I think everyone can agree that he is one of the top 5 or even top 3 drivers,” adds the young Briton, looking back on the current season. “It really is something special, and the support and affection he gives to the younger generation also shows his character.”
