Ferrari’s Oliver Bearman out of F1 apply session after shock crash with Alex Albon
Teen sensation Oliver Bearman’s shot at Formula 1 glory in Mexico was cut short after a shock collision with fellow Brit Alex Albon, who then branded the rookie an “idiot.”
In practice sessions, smashes are rare since it’s not a race situation. But drama kicked off early doors at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez when Albon’s Williams seemingly clipped the Ferrari.
The British-Thai driver collided with Bearman’s leisurely Ferrari coming off a bend and completely oversteered. Despite his best efforts to regain control, Albon clipped the youngster’s car and went hurtling into the barriers, mangling his motor.
Fuming over the tannoy, Albon snapped: “Idiot,” convinced Bearman was to blame. However, the teen sensation was quick to defend himself on the radio, saying, “He hit me! I am out. I am fine but the car is not,” as he reported back to his Ferrari squad.
(Image: Formula 1 via Getty Images)
The prang meant curtains for 18-year-old Bearman’s session – a far cry from the extensive wheel time he expected. However, the young Brit has already notched up several practices and a couple of actual races this season, reports the Mirror.
He even stepped in for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari during the March Saudi Arabia meet, with Sainz under the weather. Haas also gave him a whirl in Azerbaijan last month, filling in for Kevin ‘naughty boy’ Magnussen post-race ban for racking up too many demerit points.
Bearman is gearing up for his first full-time F1 race seat next season, having been snapped up by Haas to replace Magnussen. He’ll be teaming up with Esteban Ocon, who’s leaving Alpine to fill the shoes of Audi-bound Nico Hulkenberg.
(Image: Sky Sports)
Meanwhile, Albon inked a fresh contract with Williams earlier this year. He’s already had two team-mates this term, with Franco Colapinto stepping in back in August to take over from the underperforming Logan Sargeant, and he’s set to have another new one next season when Sainz finalises his move to the team.
The Spaniard took months to decide on his next move after Ferrari informed him that his seat was being given to Lewis Hamilton. Despite being linked with a Mercedes move and being heavily pursued by Audi to partner Hulkenberg, he opted to turn down their offers and join James Vowles’ project instead.
