"Just a foretaste"

Formula 1: Debutant (18) causes a stir

Oliver Bearman(Bild: AP)

Oliver Bearman celebrated a successful Formula 1 debut for Ferrari on Saturday! The 18-year-old Briton stood in for regular driver Carlos Sainz in Saudi Arabia, delivered a showcase of talent with a seventh-place finish and was voted Driver of the Day by the fans.

"Ollie" Bearman, who started the race in eleventh place, became the youngest Ferrari driver in Formula 1 history and scored six points straight away. "It was so much fun," the young driver radioed after the race. He enjoyed every second: "It was a fantastic race."

It remains to be seen whether Sainz, who had to pull out at short notice due to an appendix operation, will be at the next Grand Prix in Australia in two weeks' time.

Wurz and Leclerc are also amazed
"The young generation is coming, this is just a foretaste," said ORF expert Alexander Wurz, who was also impressed by Bearman's performance. Team-mate Charles Leclerc, who finished third, was amazed: "It's only a matter of time before we see him in Formula 1."