Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari was one of the crucial iconic moments of the winter season, together with his first day at Maranello producing essentially the most appreciated picture in Formulation 1 historical past on Instagram. For Oliver Bearman, a younger expertise of the Ferrari Driver Academy and now a Haas driver for the 2025 season, Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Maranello was a rare occasion, vastly completely different from his personal first expertise with the Prancing Horse.
When Hamilton walked by way of Ferrari’s gates in January, he was welcomed with nice enthusiasm. Wearing a sublime black go well with and a protracted coat, the seven-time world champion was photographed in entrance of Enzo Ferrari’s historic home, subsequent to his favourite supercar, the Ferrari F40.
Ollie Bearman: “I Can’t Think about What Hamilton Felt”
Throughout that day, Hamilton shook tons of of palms, introducing himself to the women and men of the Scuderia who will likely be liable for offering him with a aggressive automotive to chase his eighth world title. For Oliver Bearman, becoming a member of Ferrari was a totally completely different expertise.
The British driver, who will make his Formulation 1 debut with Haas this 12 months, shared his first impressions: “I spent lots of time there. I didn’t shake everybody’s hand—I don’t race for them in Formulation 1.” Talking in regards to the manufacturing unit’s dimension, Oliver Bearman added: “It’s an enormous, unimaginable facility. I can solely think about Hamilton had a really lengthy day.”
Reflecting on his first day at Maranello, he recalled: “On my first day, I used to be only a 15-year-old F4 driver. Strolling into an F1 manufacturing unit for the primary time was loopy. I used to be impressed by the size of the operation and the variety of individuals.”
Oliver Bearman Following in Hamilton’s Footsteps
Oliver Bearman already obtained a style of Formulation 1 final 12 months, stepping in for Carlos Sainz in Saudi Arabia attributable to an appendectomy and later racing for Haas in Azerbaijan and São Paulo. The younger Brit has clear objectives for the longer term, whereas acknowledging Lewis Hamilton’s greatness: “Nobody has ever emulated Lewis, so I don’t anticipate to, as a result of nobody has managed to.”
Nonetheless, his ambition stays sturdy: “My dream is to develop into world champion, and that’s what will get me off the bed each morning.” Whereas centered on his new Ferrari journey, Lewis Hamilton has been approachable with the Ferrari junior, having shared the grid with him thrice final 12 months.
“Each time I see him, he’s at all times tremendous variety and accessible. It’s nice to share experiences with him. After all, he has lots of expertise, however he’s merely a improbable particular person, and I take pleasure in speaking to him.” Whereas there hasn’t been a serious trade of technical recommendation, Oliver Bearman has nonetheless appreciated Hamilton’s constructive perspective towards younger drivers: “There hasn’t been an enormous trade of recommendation, however he simply informed me, ‘Go for it.’”
The younger Brit concluded by emphasizing how essential it’s to have a Formulation 1 icon supporting the brand new era of drivers: “Hamilton is at all times very supportive of all of the rookies, and it’s a extremely constructive feeling.”
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