The 2024 Formula 1 season saw plenty of twists and turns up and down the grid and the emergence of the next British star in the paddock.
Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Lando Norris were briefly joined by a fourth Brit when Oliver Bearman made his Ferrari debut at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Bearman was on the radar of Formula 1 at this point having made his FP1 debut for Haas at the Mexico City Grand Prix in 2023.
He had already done a private test for Ferrari at Fiorano, but his move to Prema in Formula 2 last year alongside Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli emphasised that the 19-year-old was being positioned to step into F1 this year.
That has eventually come to pass with Haas taking the plunge and employing their first rookie since the doomed pairing of Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin in 2021.
However, Bearman ended up making his full F1 debut much sooner than anybody anticipated.
The teenager was speaking to Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft on the stage at Autosport International and described the events that led to his incredible points-scoring finish in Jeddah.
Croft has high hopes for Bearman this season but declared that he may need to find new management after discovering how he nearly missed out on his life-changing opportunity in Formula 1.
David Croft labels Oliver Bearman’s manager as ‘world’s worst’ after Ferrari debut incident
Croft and Bearman were on stage discussing his debut and the Sky Sports F1 commentator asked: “So, where were you, what were you doing and how did you feel when the call came through from Fred?”
Bearman replied: “Well, it’s quite a funny story. I was at lunch, we had the F2 Sprint Race, so the grid was meant to be reversed, I was starting P10 because I was on pole.
“I was not really looking forward to it, sitting there having lunch, and my manager Chris got a call from Fred, but he had no credit left on his phone!
“So, Fred called him and it locked out straight away!”
READ MORE: Who is 2025 Haas driver Oliver Bearman? Everything to know
Croft replied to Bearman’s story and said: “So, Chris over there [pointing to the crowd], the world’s worst manager!
“He’s about to get a call that’s going to change Ollie’s life, he had 50p left on his phone!
“At which point Fred Vasseur went, ‘Get me Robert Shwartzman’s number now’. Why are you still with this man?”
Oliver Bearman preparing for first 2025 Haas F1 run before pre-season testing
Bearman was praised for his performance in Jeddah and it immediately put him at the top of Haas’ shortlist of potential drivers for 2025, especially as they knew that Nico Hulkenberg was about to announce his move to Sauber.
In the end, team principal Ayao Komatsu decided to replace Kevin Magnussen as well, handing Bearman his opportunity to become a full-time F1 driver this year.
The 19-year-old featured for Haas twice last season, replacing Magnussen when he was banned in Azerbaijan and when the Dane was ill at Sao Paulo.
READ MORE: All to know about Haas F1 Team from team principal to Ferrari and Toyota ties
He scored points on his Haas debut in Baku but had a much tougher time in treacherous conditions at Interlagos.
Haas are set to take part in their first TPC test this week, with Bearman in their 2023 car on Wednesday before Ritomo Miyata takes over for the end of the day’s running.
It’s an exciting step in the right direction for Bearman and Haas as they look to build on a very positive 2024.
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