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 probably the most preferred 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 totally different from his personal first expertise with the Prancing Horse.
When Hamilton walked by means of Ferrari’s gates in January, he was welcomed with nice enthusiasm. Wearing a sublime black go well with and an extended 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 can be answerable for offering him with a aggressive automobile to chase his eighth world title. For Oliver Bearman, becoming a member of Ferrari was a very totally different expertise.
The British driver, who will make his Formulation 1 debut with Haas this yr, shared his first impressions: “I spent a variety 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 facility’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 facility 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 received a style of Formulation 1 final yr, stepping in for Carlos Sainz in Saudi Arabia resulting from an appendectomy and later racing for Haas in Azerbaijan and São Paulo. The younger Brit has clear targets for the longer term, whereas acknowledging Lewis Hamilton’s greatness: “Nobody has ever emulated Lewis, so I don’t count on 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 targeted on his new Ferrari journey, Lewis Hamilton has been approachable with the Ferrari junior, having shared the grid with him 3 times final yr.
“Each time I see him, he’s at all times tremendous type and accessible. It’s nice to share experiences with him. After all, he has a variety of expertise, however he’s merely a improbable individual, and I take pleasure in speaking to him.” Whereas there hasn’t been a significant trade of technical recommendation, Oliver Bearman has nonetheless appreciated Hamilton’s constructive angle towards younger drivers: “There hasn’t been an enormous trade of recommendation, however he simply instructed me, ‘Go for it.’”
The younger Brit concluded by emphasizing how vital 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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