Ferrari stand-in Oliver Bearman has pipped Lewis Hamilton to interrupt 1 / 4 of a century previous report on his first weekend in F1.
Bearman was named because the Italian group’s alternative for Carlos Sainz for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after the Spaniard was compelled to withdraw on account of appendicitis. Sainz, who completed third in Bahrain throughout the opening race of the season, requires surgical procedure and can miss the remainder of the race weekend in consequence.
It means an thrilling alternative for Bearman, who’s Ferrari’s reserve driver. He will stand in for the absent Sainz throughout all periods, together with the race itself on Saturday afternoon. While it’s an thrilling alternative for Bearman, albeit in unlucky circumstances, it additionally means he’ll pip future Ferrari driver Hamilton to at least one specific report.
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In lining up on the grid on Saturday afternoon, Bearman will turn into the primary British driver to race for Ferrari in 25 years. Mercedes ace Hamilton appeared set to nab that report, having agreed to hitch the constructor from the beginning of subsequent season.
But that place in historical past will now go to Bearman. Eddie Irvine was the final Brit to race for Ferrari earlier than Bearman, having partnered Michael Schumacher from 1996 till 1999.
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(Image: PA)
Although Irvine did not handle to select up any race wins for Ferrari, he did rating 4 podiums in his last season at Maranello, which was sufficient to see him end runner-up within the drivers’ championship. While Irvine’s racing license was issued by the National Sporting Authority of the Republic of Ireland, he was a British citizen all through his profession.
Bearman will now turn into the primary Brit since Irvine to race for Ferrari as he forgoes his duties within the Formula 2 championship for this weekend’s race in Saudi. A press release from Ferrari confirming the information learn: “Carlos Sainz has been recognized with appendicitis and would require surgical procedure.
(Image: AFP through Getty Images)
“As from FP3 and for the rest of this weekend, he will be replaced by reserve driver Oliver Bearman. Oliver will therefore take no further part in this round of the F2 Championship. The Ferrari family wishes Carlos a speedy recovery.”