F1 star Ollie Bearman, 19, looking to turn Australian GP debut into romantic holiday with girlfriend
TEEN Brit Oliver Bearman has vowed to be a smash hit in Formula One after breaking into the sport’s top 20.
The 19-year-old from Essex lines up for Haas at Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix here in Melbourne after a breakthrough F1 season that saw him impress in three races as a late stand-in.
Bearman’s big break came in March last year when Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was rushed to hospital for appendicitis surgery in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
He stepped into the breach and finished seventh, overshadowing both seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and fellow Brit Lando Norris.
Bearman continued to impress for Haas in Azerbaijan and Brazil — and after winning a full-time seat for 2025 he is determined to enjoy every minute.
He said: “I’ve thought about this a lot but a lot of people are reminding me that I’m very fortunate to be in the position I’m in.
“There’s 20 of us in the world. It’s not a given that we stay here, so I don’t take it for granted. It’s really important to remember why I’m here — it’s a passion for the sport.
“We are all here in this paddock because we love motorsport. I really want to make the most of it and smile.”
Bearman, who started his career in karting in 2013, has racing in his blood with his grandfather, dad and uncle all competing in motorsport.
Now he is on a mission to build on last season’s success and make a real impact.
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He added: “I’ve been really lucky to have my experiences last year.
“All of those last-minute races I had eyes on me because that was the story of the weekend, so I felt pressure.
“I know how to deal with that now and have experience. Luckily, there’s five other rookies on the grid with me so hopefully that will make it a bit easier for me.”
Australia was always likely to be his big F 1 debut as a senior driver so he has been gearing up for the trip Down Under.
He revealed: “My whole family will be coming. It was meant to be my first race but, of course, it wasn’t in the end! However, it’s still a special moment for everyone involved.
“I am really excited to be in Australia. They have amazing brunches by the beach in Melbourne.
“I know a few places, my girlfriend is coming and I really want to take her to some of those — I have my little itinerary planned!
“She’s staying until Tuesday, we have a few days to enjoy it after the race and that’s the benefit of the job, travelling to these amazing places.”
For the first time since 2010, six rookies are on the grid with Bearman joined by Kimi Antonelli, Gabriel Bortoleto, Jack Doohan, Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson.
Arguably the most pressure is on Antonelli, 18, who has massive boots to fill after replacing Hamilton at Mercedes.
He is also the son of former racing driver Marco and was named after former world champion Kimi Raikkonen.
Brazil’s Sauber star Bortoleto, 20, has back-to-back F 3 and F 2 titles under his belt and is one of just four drivers to accomplish that, along with Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Oscar Piastri.