Charles Leclerc shared his impressions of 18-year-old Ollie Bearman’s dramatic Formula 1 debut with Ferrari, praising the young Brit’s performance.
Bearman, the third youngest driver in Formula 1 history, impressed despite limited preparation time, qualifying 11th for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with only 22 laps under his belt in the SF24.
As Leclerc’s first teammate older than him across seven seasons, Bearman’s rapid adaptation to the Ferrari impressed the Monegasque driver. Expressing hope for Carlos Sainz’s swift recovery, Leclerc commended Bearman’s seamless transition and performance, considering the circumstances.
Leclerc’s sentiments extended to optimism for a strong race alongside Bearman, acknowledging the potential for both drivers to contribute valuable points to the team’s championship campaign.
While a podium may be a tall order for Bearman at the Corniche Circuit, points appear within reach for the promising Ferrari talent, who showcased his capabilities with pole position in the Formula 2 feature race.
Despite missing out on the F2 race due to his F1 debut, Bearman’s historic opportunity with Ferrari signals a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.
