F1 News: Ollie Bearman Pegged to Mercedes Seat - 'Perfect Fit'

Alex Harrington | Apr 11, 2024

Ferrari F1 Media

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert expressed his views on Ollie Bearman's potential future with Mercedes, suggesting the young driver would be an ideal fit for the team. This comes after Bearman's impressive debut with Ferrari, stirring speculation about his next move in F1.

Key Takeaways:

• Johnny Herbert's Endorsement: Herbert highlighted Ollie Bearman's potential, praising his performance under pressure with Ferrari and suggesting he would be a 'perfect fit' for Mercedes.
• Bearman's Aspirations and Performance: After an impressive debut replacing Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Oliver Bearman has expressed his desire to secure a permanent seat in F1, aiming to fulfil a childhood dream.
• Dynamic Driver Market: The F1 driver market is buzzing, with shifts including Lewis Hamilton moving to Ferrari, and Red Bull considering replacements for Sergio Perez, highlighting the competitive environment Bearman is stepping into.

Johnny Herbert, speaking on the future prospects of Mercedes' lineup, discussed the coveted seat of Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes being up for grabs at the end of this season. The 7-time champion is heading to Ferrari after a couple of difficult years at the Brackley squad, with the beginning of the 2024 season being the worst start to a season the team has ever seen.

But while Hamilton isn't happy with his team's performance, they are still a top team within the sport, finishing second in the Constructor's Standings in 2023 and still fighing within the upper midfield. This has meant that, despite the negativity revolving around the Brackley team, the seat is still a hot topic for drivers who are out of contract at the end of the year.

One of which is Carlos Sainz, the Ferrari driver who has been driving his heart out so far this season. For every race he's started he's finished on the podium. In comparison, his teammate Charles Leclerc has struggled, despite being in front of the Spanish driver in the Driver Standings - an emergency appendectomy forced Sainz out of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

"Carlos Sainz would be one of the replacements Mercedes should look at. He is a solid, very reliable, intelligent driver who could fit in very well," Johnny Herbert told Inclave Casino.

But there are a couple of rookies waiting to be let into the F1 family. One, Ollie Bearman, has already proven himself as he took to the wheel of Sainz's SF-24 in Saudi Arabia.

"But would they try to take on Ollie Bearman for example and throw him into a high-pressure situation like that? I would say yes.

"He has proven that he can cope with one of the highest pressure seats in F1, if not the highest, in the Ferrari and dealt with everything thrown at him. He would be a perfect fit. It would be brilliant to see.""

Oliver Bearman, only 18 years old, has already made a significant impact in Formula 1. The young Briton not only showcased his talent by finishing ahead of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton but also expressed his ambition to secure a permanent seat in Formula 1, aiming to realise a childhood dream. Both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton praised his potential, marking him as a future star in the sport.

The F1 driver market is in a state of flux, with significant movements including Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari and discussions around Sergio Perez's future at Red Bull. And this could either post to be a challenge or an opportunity for Bearman, as he seeks to carve out his place in the pinnacle of motorsport.

Following the Jeddah race, Bearman reflected on his first race behind the wheel of the Ferrari:

"This is my third year living in Italy," he said. "It was a very daunting prospect. I started at 15, 16 years old and I was living out here by myself, but now I've gained a lot freedom and friends.

"Especially after this race, I seem to know everyone in the factory. They've all congratulated me, which is a really special feeling, and I feel motivated by that as well. It's great to have recognition.

"It just makes you want to keep pushing and it would be amazing to race here full-time one day."