Who is Oliver Bearman? Carlos Sainz’s replacement for Ferrari at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

OLIVER Bearman is replacing Carlos Sainz for Ferrari at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Here’s everything you need to know about Formula One’s freshest face.

Oliver Bearman will replace Carlos Sainz for the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia at Jeddah Corniche CircuitGetty

Who is Oliver Bearman?

Bearman was raised in Chelmsford and went to school at King Edward VI Grammar.

The talented youngster joined Ferrari’s driver academy at the age of 16.

He quit school against his mother’s wishes and moved to Modena — close to Ferrari’s headquarters in northern Italy.

In 2023, he came sixth in the Formula Two championship.

On March 8, 2024 qualified for the F2 race in Saudi Arabia on pole.

However, he will now ditch his F2 commitments for this weekend after being promoted to replace Sainz.

Bearman, 18, has been tipped as a future star after he was snapped up as part of Ferrari’s young driver scheme.

His road to the top began in 2021 as he won the F4 series in both Italy and Germany.

After moving up to F3, the teen sensation finished in third and was promoted to F2 last year with Prema Racing.

The Chelmsford-born racer featured in Mexico City and Abu Dhabi practice sessions with Haas during the 2023 season.

He impressed in Mexico where he became Britain’s youngest ever F1 driver, finishing ahead of two-time world champion Fernando Alonso in practice.

His best lap time in Mexico City – in a Haas – was just 1.6 seconds slower than triple world champion Max Verstappen, and three tenths adrift of experienced teammate, Nico Hulkenberg.

Bearman will be the 165th British F1 driver and the first to get behind the wheel of a Ferrari car since Eddie Irvine 25 years ago.

His chance comes ahead of Lewis Hamilton‘s switch to Ferrari in 2025 but Bearman says it was fellow Brit Jenson Button who was his boyhood hero.

When did Oliver Bearman join Ferrari?

Oliver has been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy since 2021.

He is currently the reserve driver for Scuderia Ferrari and Haas.

His F1 debut will be in the 2024 Saudi GP.

When did Oliver Bearman qualify from F2 to F1?

Oliver was promoted to F1 after securing pole in F2 qualifying on March 8, 2024.

The teenager drove for Haas in 2023 during the practice sessions in Mexico City and Abu Dhabi.

Following impressive drives, he became Britain’s youngest ever F1 driver, finishing ahead of two-time world champion Fernando Alonso in practice.

His best lap time — in a Haas — was only 1.6 seconds slower than Max Verstappen.

Oliver has previously won the Italian Formula Formula 4 and German Formula 4 titles — both in 2021.

Why is he replacing Carlos Sainz in the Saudi Arabia Gran Prix?

Sainz, 29, will miss the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to undergo emergency surgery after being diagnosed with appendicitis.

He is now reportedly in hospital, having fallen ill since touching down in Jeddah earlier this week.

Sainz came third in the opening race of the season in Bahrain last weekend.

But tomorrow’s Saudi GP will see Oliver Bearman replace him.

When will Oliver Bearman be racing in F1 Grand Prix?

The F1 race in Saudi runs to a similar schedule to the Bahrain Grand Prix, meaning qualifying will take place a day earlier than usual.

Qualifying for the Saudi Arabian GP will begin at 8pm local time (5pm UK time) on Friday March 8, 2024.

And the Saudi Arabian GP will start at 8pm local time (5pm UK time) on Saturday March 9, 2024.