Guenther Steiner predicts big future for Oliver Bearman after impressive F1 debut

Used to racing in Formula 2, Bearman was a late call-up by Ferrari for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after Carlos Sainz was forced to withdraw at the last minute due to an appendicitis diagnosis and the need for emergency medical intervention.

Bearman was only made aware that he would be needed to drive in Jeddah during the first free practice on Friday, meaning he had two practice sessions and just over a day and a half to get used to the car and conditions of driving in Formula 1.

He took it all in his stride though and, after qualifying 11th, made his way up the grid to finish in a very impressive seventh place, ahead of the likes of Sir Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris.

“Based on his performance in Jeddah, after what I saw from him at Haas, I’d put him in a race seat. Obviously, it depends on the circumstances and what seats are available. You need to see the whole landscape, but he would be a candidate," Steiner wrote in his column for F1.com.

“For prospective employers, that drive will have taken a lot of doubts away of what he is able to do. He’s in a good place as at the end of this year, there are a lot of contracts up with drivers, so he can put himself in good a position.

"He can’t go anywhere he wants, but I believe there is more than one opportunity for him.

“He has a contract with Ferrari, I don’t know how long it is. If you were interested in him, you’d go and speak with Ferrari and see what they want to do and see if something can be achieved. You of course need to see what is happening in your team with the drivers. Do you want him or are you happy with what you’ve got?

“I think a lot of teams will proactively look at him now after his performance last weekend. If I see the potential, other people will see it as well, so I think there is a good possibility for him to get a seat next year.”