Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari was one of the crucial iconic moments of the winter season, along with his first day at Maranello producing probably the most appreciated picture in Formulation 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 an extended 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 a whole bunch of fingers, introducing himself to the women and men of the Scuderia who shall be accountable for offering him with a aggressive automotive to chase his eighth world title. For Oliver Bearman, becoming a member of Ferrari was a very totally different expertise.
The British driver, who will make his Formulation 1 debut with Haas this 12 months, shared his first impressions: “I spent loads of time there. I didn’t shake everybody’s hand—I don’t race for them in Formulation 1.” Talking in regards to the manufacturing unit’s measurement, Oliver Bearman added: “It’s an enormous, unbelievable 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 unit for the primary time was loopy. I used to be impressed by the dimensions of the operation and the variety of folks.”
Oliver Bearman Following in Hamilton’s Footsteps
Oliver Bearman already received a style of Formulation 1 final 12 months, stepping in for Carlos Sainz in Saudi Arabia as a result of an appendectomy and later racing for Haas in Azerbaijan and São Paulo. The younger Brit has clear targets for the long run, whereas acknowledging Lewis Hamilton’s greatness: “Nobody has ever emulated Lewis, so I don’t anticipate to, as a result of nobody has managed to.”
Nevertheless, his ambition stays sturdy: “My dream is to grow to be world champion, and that’s what will get me off the bed each morning.” Whereas targeted on his new Ferrari journey, Lewis Hamilton has been approachable with the Ferrari junior, having shared the grid with him thrice 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 loads of expertise, however he’s merely a implausible particular person, and I take pleasure in speaking to him.” Whereas there hasn’t been a serious alternate of technical recommendation, Oliver Bearman has nonetheless appreciated Hamilton’s constructive perspective towards younger drivers: “There hasn’t been an enormous alternate of recommendation, however he simply instructed me, ‘Go for it.’”
The younger Brit concluded by emphasizing how necessary it’s to have a Formulation 1 icon supporting the brand new era of drivers: “Hamilton is all the time very supportive of all of the rookies, and it’s a extremely constructive feeling.”
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