2024-03-08 23:34:54
In the run-up to Saudi Arabian Grand Prixthe second of the 24 that the season will have Formula 1the Dutch Max Verstappen (Red Bull) once again dominated the tests and will start on Saturday from pole position, after winning this Friday in the qualifying session at the Jeddah street circuit.
The current triple world champion thus achieved the 34th pole of his career and the second this season, after the one he achieved in Bahrain, where he was also the winner. Behind of Verstappen they will release the Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and the Mexican Sergio Pérez (Red Bull), second and third respectively.
But the peculiarity of the day of the most important category in world motorsports is the sudden appearance in Ferrari of the reserve pilot Oliver Bearmanwho has 18 years and competes in Formula 2, where the Argentine is located Franco Colapinto.
The young Brit’s emergence into the major circuit came as a replacement for his partner Carlos Sainzwho had to undergo surgery for appendicitis and will not be able to race in Saudi Arabia. “He has been diagnosed with appendicitis. Starting from the third free practice session and for the rest of the weekend, he will be replaced by reserve driver Oliver Bearman,” the Italian team announced on its X social network account and later added: “He has had surgery, everything has gone well and he is resting in the hospital”.
Bearman He made his debut aboard his Ferrari in the last free tests, this Friday, with a creditable eleventh place, one behind the legend Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), seven-time F1 world champion.
The young man from Chelmsford, ranked sixth last season in the Formula 2 World Championship for the Prema Racing team, the same team he competes for this year, had driven an F1 Haas team last season during two free practice sessions. in Mexico and Abu Dhabi. He also participated in a test in Fiorano (Italy) at the wheel of an SF21, Ferrari’s car in 2021. The Briton had achieved pole position in Formula 2 on Thursday, but due to FIA regulations will miss the race in that categorynot being able to run both races on the same weekend.
Bearman, the 18 years and 10 monthswill become the third youngest driver in history of Formula 1 to participate in a Grand Prix, surpassed only by two members of the current grid: the three-time world champion Max Verstappenwho debuted at 17 years and 5 months in 2015, and Lance Stroll with 18 years and 4 months in 2017.
Regarding the starting grid for Saturday’s Grand Prix, the Spanish veteran Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), the fastest on Thursday on the free practice day, will start the race in fourth position, ahead of the two McLarens, those of the Australian Oscar Piastri and the british Lando Norris.
The fourth line will be occupied by the two Mercedes of the British George Russell y Lewis Hamiltonwhile the Top 10 is completed by the Japanese Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) and the Canadian Lance Stroll (Aston Martin).