Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari was some of the iconic moments of the winter season, together with his first day at Maranello producing probably the most preferred picture in System 1 historical past on Instagram. For Oliver Bearman, a younger expertise of the Ferrari Driver Academy and now a Haas driver for the 2025 season, Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Maranello was a unprecedented occasion, vastly totally different from his personal first expertise with the Prancing Horse.
When Hamilton walked by way of Ferrari’s gates in January, he was welcomed with nice enthusiasm. Wearing a sublime black go well with and a protracted coat, the seven-time world champion was photographed in entrance of Enzo Ferrari’s historic home, subsequent to his favourite supercar, the Ferrari F40.
Ollie Bearman: “I Can’t Think about What Hamilton Felt”
Throughout that day, Hamilton shook lots of of arms, introducing himself to the women and men of the Scuderia who can be accountable for offering him with a aggressive automobile to chase his eighth world title. For Oliver Bearman, becoming a member of Ferrari was a totally totally different expertise.
The British driver, who will make his System 1 debut with Haas this 12 months, shared his first impressions: “I spent plenty of time there. I didn’t shake everybody’s hand—I don’t race for them in System 1.” Talking concerning the manufacturing facility’s dimension, Oliver Bearman added: “It’s an enormous, unimaginable facility. I can solely think about Hamilton had a really lengthy day.”
Reflecting on his first day at Maranello, he recalled: “On my first day, I used to be only a 15-year-old F4 driver. Strolling into an F1 manufacturing facility for the primary time was loopy. I used to be impressed by the size of the operation and the variety of folks.”
Oliver Bearman Following in Hamilton’s Footsteps
Oliver Bearman already acquired a style of System 1 final 12 months, stepping in for Carlos Sainz in Saudi Arabia on account of an appendectomy and later racing for Haas in Azerbaijan and São Paulo. The younger Brit has clear objectives for the longer term, whereas acknowledging Lewis Hamilton’s greatness: “Nobody has ever emulated Lewis, so I don’t count on to, as a result of nobody has managed to.”
Nonetheless, his ambition stays robust: “My dream is to grow to be world champion, and that’s what will get me away from bed each morning.” Whereas centered on his new Ferrari journey, Lewis Hamilton has been approachable with the Ferrari junior, having shared the grid with him 3 times final 12 months.
“Each time I see him, he’s all the time tremendous form and out there. It’s nice to share experiences with him. After all, he has plenty of expertise, however he’s merely a unbelievable individual, and I get pleasure from speaking to him.” Whereas there hasn’t been a serious trade of technical recommendation, Oliver Bearman has nonetheless appreciated Hamilton’s optimistic perspective towards younger drivers: “There hasn’t been an enormous trade of recommendation, however he simply informed me, ‘Go for it.’”
The younger Brit concluded by emphasizing how necessary it’s to have a System 1 icon supporting the brand new technology of drivers: “Hamilton is all the time very supportive of all of the rookies, and it’s a very optimistic feeling.”
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