David Croft teases Oliver Bearman, labeling him 'worst-managed driver' over Ferrari debut tale
Yesterday at 05:55 PM
The 2024 Formula 1 season delivered a rollercoaster of action, unexpected developments across the grid, and the rise of a promising new British talent in the paddock.
Joining the likes of Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and Lando Norris, a fourth Brit made his mark when Oliver Bearman stepped into the spotlight with a stunning Ferrari debut at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix where he replaced Carlos Sainz.
The Ferrari junior had already caught the eye of the F1 community, having participated in his first FP1 session with Haas at the 2023 Mexico City Grand Prix. Prior to that, he had also completed a private test for Ferrari at Fiorano. His move to Prema in Formula 2, where he competed alongside Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli, underlined Ferrari’s intention to groom the 19-year-old for a swift ascent into Formula 1.
That vision became reality sooner than expected, as Haas boldly opted to bring in Oliver Bearman as their first rookie since the ill-fated duo of Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin in 2021. Yet, few could have predicted just how rapidly Bearman would transition to a full-time F1 seat.
In an interview on stage at Autosport International with Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft, the new Haas driver recounted the dramatic chain of events leading to his extraordinary points-scoring debut in Jeddah.
While David Croft expressed great confidence in Oliver Bearman's potential this season, he also couldn't resist poking fun at the young driver's management team. After hearing how close Oliver Bearman came to missing his breakthrough opportunity, Croft jokingly branded his manager the "world's worst."
On stage with Oliver Bearman, David Croft discussed the young driver’s F1 debut, asking him to recount where he was, what he was doing, and how he felt when the pivotal call came from Fred Vasseur.
Bearman shared that he had been at lunch ahead of the F2 Sprint Race, which he wasn't particularly eager about as the grid was reversed, placing him in P10 despite being on pole. While sitting there, his manager, Chris, received a call from Vasseur. However, the moment turned comical when it was revealed that Chris's phone had no credit, causing the call to disconnect immediately.
Responding to the story, Croft humorously pointed to Chris in the crowd, dubbing him the “world's worst manager.” He joked about how Chris had only 50p of credit left during a call that could change Bearman's life. Croft added that the Ferrari team boss even considered calling Robert Shwartzman instead, teasing Oliver Bearman by asking why he still stuck with such a manager.
Oliver Bearman gearing up for first 2025 Haas F1 outing ahead of pre-season preparations
After impressing with a standout performance in Jeddah, Oliver Bearman quickly became Haas' top candidate for a 2025 race seat. His potential shone brightly just as the team learned that Nico Hulkenberg was preparing to announce his departure to Sauber.
Ultimately, Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu opted for a bold shake-up, deciding to replace Kevin Magnussen as well. This strategic move paved the way for the 19-year-old to step into a full-time Formula 1 role for the upcoming season.
Ollie Bearman had already gained valuable experience with Haas in 2024, stepping in for Magnussen on two occasions—once during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix when the Dane served a race ban, and later at Sao Paulo when illness sidelined him. The young Brit delivered points on his debut in Baku but faced a steep learning curve in the challenging weather conditions at Interlagos.
This week, Haas will kick off their first Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) session, marking an important milestone for Ollie Bearman. He is scheduled to pilot the team's 2023 car on Wednesday before handing over the reins to Ritomo Miyata for the latter part of the day's running.
The test signifies an exciting chapter for both Ollie Bearman and Haas as they aim to capitalize on the momentum of an encouraging 2024 season and continue their upward trajectory in the Formula 1 paddock.
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