He can be driving a Formulation One automotive this season at speeds in extra of 200mph, however has revealed that he failed his driving take a look at after “failing to cease at a cease signal”.
, 19, made the admission forward of Tuesday evening’s reside F1 launch at London’s O2 Enviornment.
Requested about fellow F1 rookie Kimi Antonelli, the 18-year-old Italian, who has simply handed his driving take a look at six months after being confirmed at Mercedes this season, Bearman joked that he was a “veteran” by comparability after failing first time round.
“Fortunately I handed just a few years in the past, since you may go it at 17 right here slightly than 18 like in Italy,” Bearman mentioned. “However I did go second time.” He then paused and added: “I shouldn’t have informed you that.”
Pressed on why he had failed, Bearman laughed and mentioned: “I didn’t cease at a cease signal. However I didn’t burn [through] it. I slowed down. I used to be crawling. However [yes], you’re meant to cease.
“We don’t have these on race tracks in order that was my first sighting of a cease signal. However typical me, or typical possible racing driver, I believed I may go my take a look at with none classes. In order that’s in all probability the place I went flawed. So I took just a few classes earlier than the second. However sure, I’ve been driving since 2022 now, so very skilled driver right here.”
Bearman added that he used to personal a BMW 1 Sequence however now drove an Alfa Romeo Tonale firm automotive.
Bearman, who’s a part of the Ferrari driver academy, first got here to prominence final season when he stepped in for Carlos Sainz on the eleventh hour in Saudi Arabia after the Spaniard went down with appendicitis. Bearman completed seventh, turning into concurrently the youngest Briton ever to race in F1 and the youngest driver of any nationality to attain factors on debut.
He can be one among 5 British drivers on the grid this yr alongside Hamilton (Ferrari), Lando Norris (McLaren), George Russell (Mercedes) and British-Thai driver Alex Albon (Williams).
Regardless of having raced 3 times final yr, as soon as for Ferrari and twice for Haas, Bearman mentioned he nonetheless thought-about himself a rookie.
“I’m unsure what the group expects of me however I’m very harsh on myself,” Bearman replied when requested what he anticipated from himself this season. “I haven’t bought any position-based expectations. It’s inconceivable earlier than the automotive has run in anger. I wish to be taught and be constant.
“However, and it’s typically missed, I additionally actually wish to take pleasure in it. I’m dwelling my dream right here. You solely get one rookie season.”
