Oliver Bearman names the 53-win F1 legend who was ‘one of the first’ to message him after Ferrari debut

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Oliver Bearman has unexpectedly driven in two Formula 1 races this year. First, he filled in for Ferrari at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, and then Haas called upon him in Azerbaijan.

Carlos Sainz had to withdraw in Jeddah through appendicitis, which meant Fred Vasseur was forced to turn to his untested reserve driver. The timing of the Sainz decision meant he only had an hour of practice prior to qualifying.

Bearman was disappointed not to make Q3 – he took P11 on the grid – but he won universal praise for his showing in the race. He would finish seventh ahead of Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton, the best result for a debutant since 2015.

He earned the driver of the day award too, and in the midst of an underwhelming Formula 2 campaign, it may be that this starring cameo was decisive in landing him a Haas seat. He’ll partner Esteban Ocon in a brand-new line-up.

Bearman had the chance to complete a ‘race zero’ trial in Azerbaijan, with Kevin Magnussen banned for accumulating 12 penalty points in the space of the year. He had time to prepare and the relative luxury of all three practice sessions.

He recovered from an accident in FP3 to score another point, once again underlining his potential. He’s one of three rookies already confirmed for the 2025 grid alongside PREMA teammate Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) and Alpine’s Jack Doohan.

Oliver Bearman shares Sebastian Vettel interaction after Formula 1 debut

During an appearance on F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast, Bearman was asked to name the F1 personality with whom he’d like to be stuck in a lift. He went for four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.

Bearman revealed that Vettel, who won 53 Grands Prix and took 57 pole positions in an iconic career, was among the first people to congratulate him on his Jeddah showing. But he hasn’t yet had a full face-to-face conversation with the German.

He’s hoping to emulate Vettel by racing for Ferrari one day. The teenager is part of the Scuderia’s driver academy and could potentially succeed Hamilton if he impresses at Haas.

Bearman has already worked with Riccardo Adami, Vettel’s former race engineer. Adami is now poised to support Hamilton next year following Sainz’s exit.

“I’d really like to meet Sebastian Vettel fully,” Bearman said. “I really like his personality. I think he’s a great guy and really charismatic and has a lot going for him.

“When I did the race in Jeddah, he was one of the first people to message me as well. And I was with his engineer from when he was in Ferrari who spoke very highly of him. I shook his hand and said hello, but [I’ve] never really spoken to him.”

What Lewis Hamilton has said about 2025 Haas signing Oliver Bearman

Vettel isn’t the only legendary driver who’s spoken highly of Bearman. Hamilton, the most decorated racer in the sport’s history, has also been impressed.

He’s put Bearman under pressure in both of his F1 outings to date, and his compatriot has coped well. Indeed, it took him 24 laps to pass the Haas driver in Baku.

Hamilton has called Bearman an ‘amazing’ talent, along with recent Williams hire Franco Colapinto. He hadn’t even turned two when Hamilton made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2007.

Nico Hulkenberg, one of the most experienced drivers on the grid, was also struck by his talent. Hulkenberg credited Bearman for his response to crashing in Azerbaijan when the accident could easily have knocked his confidence.