David Coulthard hails F1 driver for ‘massively impressive’ Saudi Arabian GP feat

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David Coulthard has praised Ferrari reserve driver Oliver Bearman for his ‘massively impressive’ debut in Formula 1 in qualifying at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP on Friday.

The 18-year-old secured a sudden seat on the grid for Saturday’s race as Carlos Sainz was diagnosed with appendicitis. Bearman will become the youngest British and Ferrari driver to race in Formula 1 yet, as well, when the five red lights go out at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

Bearman was already in Jeddah to race in Formula 2 and he had even taken pole position for the Feature race. The Chelmsford native has, instead, pushed his feeder series commitments with the Prema team to one side to step in for Sainz, who underwent a successful operation.

Oliver Bearman will start his Ferrari debut in P11 at the Saudi Arabian GP

Bearman had previously only driven an F1 car in an official Grand Prix weekend session with FP1 outings for Haas. He drove the VF-23 at the Mexico City GP and Abu Dhabi GP in 2023. The teenager also only drove an F1 car for the first time last October with Ferrari’s 2021 car.

But the Briton did not let his lack of experience prevent him from pushing the VF-24 during qualifying on Friday. Bearman posted the 11th fastest time in Q2 to narrowly miss out on a spot in the top 10 shootout. His lap was 0.036 seconds off Mercedes hero Lewis Hamilton’s.

Oliver Bearman impressed David Coulthard in his F1 qualifying debut

Bearman posted a 1:28.642 lap in Q2 while teammate, Charles Leclerc, recorded a 1:28.112 in Ferrari’s other car. Leclerc would also peddle his VF-24 to second on the grid for the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP. The 26-year-old improved his lap time to a 1:27.791 in Q3 to seal second.

But Bearman only being 0.530 seconds off Leclerc’s pace after one free practice session for Ferrari in Jeddah impressed Coulthard. The former Red Bull driver feared may Bearman face a tall order to get up to speed at the Saudi Arabian GP. But he is taking the rare opportunity.

“I’ve got to say, what a massive opportunity and what a big mountain he had to climb,” Coulthard said on Channel 4 (8/3, 21:50). “But to be within half a second of one of the quickest drivers in Formula 1 over a single lap, I think, is massively impressive.”