Essex raised Oliver Bearman finishes seventh in his first Grand Prix
The youngest British driver to race in Formula One jumped into the hot seat in the eleventh hour as a stand-in for Carlos Sainz.
Last updated 10th Mar 2024
Chelmsford raised Bearman drove swiftly into the record books by becoming the youngest British driver to race in Formula One and he delivered by finishing seventh, ahead of icons Lando Norris, eighth and Hamilton, ninth.
The 18-year-old was filling in for Carlos Sainz who missed the race in Saudi Arabia with appendicitis.
Bearman's Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc was third, behind Red Bull pair Sergio Perez and race-winner Max Verstappen.
Charles Leclerc said about the youngster, "He was straight on the pace. Seventh in your first race in a new Formula One car is hugely impressive. It is only a matter of time before he is in Formula One."
Seven-time world champion Hamilton waited by Bearman's Ferrari before embracing the 18-year-old as he climbed out of the scarlet machine at the end of the race.
"A star is born now," 1996 world champion, Damon Hill, said on X. "To jump in at such short notice, on a track as intimidating as Jeddah, in a Ferrari of all things, and hold up under immense pressure from Lando and Lewis and keep it together. Wow."