18-year-old tipped for potential drive in 2025 tests F1 car for the very first time

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Formula 2 driver Oliver Bearman has just completed with first Formula 1 test with Ferrari.

Bearman was speaking to the team’s media team after taking the SF21 GP race car for a spin in Fiorano.

Opportunities to break into Formula 1 are becoming more and more difficult to find.

Right now, it looks like there won’t be a single rookie on the grid in 2024 unless Williams decide to replace Logan Sargeant.

That means that last season’s F2 champion Felipe Drugovich will be joined by another champion waiting for their chance to break into the squad.

Theo Pourchaire is likely to be that man, but rival Oliver Bearman has just had his first taste of action in an F1 car.

Bearman is set to test for Ferrari in Mexico and Abu Dhabi with just one round to go in F2.

It would be a surprise to see him move on from the Formula 1 feeder series in 2024, although winning the championship has to be the aim.

If he does, there’s already a suggestion that he might have an opportunity to break into the sport with Haas in 2025.

With Andretti also trying to become the 11^th Formula 1 team right now, there might be space for two more young drivers to enter the sport sooner rather than later.

Bearman completes first Ferrari F1 tests

Asked how his first experience in a Formula 1 car went, Bearman said: “Yeah, I think first of all leaving the garage in a red car around a track like this it was quite an emotional moment.

“It’s a childhood dream fulfilled to drive an F1 car, I was really, really happy.

“But then you get round the first corner and you’re straight to work, trying to understand what this car needs.

“I was really shocked with the speed, of course the acceleration is really amazing but also the downforce level, it gives me a lot of confidence and grip in the car.”

Bearman is the only Ferrari young driver to have completed a test in an F1 car so far.

Arthur Leclerc is likely next in line although his first season in F2 has been mixed to say the least, recording just one podium in his DAMS car.

The man to look out for is Dino Beganovic in Formula 3 who will be pushing to win the title in 2024 – likely with Prema – before following Bearman and Leclerc into F2.

The 18-year-old Brit will know he’s potentially just a season away from entering Formula 1 and needs to make the most of his next two opportunities in the car.