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Ollie Bearman spoke to FormulaNerds about his challenging F2 season and Formula 1 work after he returned to the podium in the Formula 2 Sprint Race in Austria.
As the Formula 2 X admin wrote: “The Bear is back!”.
Oliver Bearman stood on the top step of the podium today after taking victory in the F2 Sprint Race around the Red Bull Ring.
2024 hasn’t been a great season for Bearman in terms of F2 results. The British driver, who is in his second campaign of F2, came into this weekend with 18 points to his name in the F2 Driver Standings. He qualified on pole in Jeddah, but couldn’t utilise his front row start as he was called up to Formula 1.
Bearman’s weekend in Formula 1 demonstrated the skill he has as he currently has more F1 points than seven full-time F1 drivers. He is in P13 with six points, which is equal to Nico Hulkenberg.
However, whilst his F1 weekend and time in FP1 sessions with Haas have gone well, his F2 season lacks the results one would have expected. Before today’s Sprint, Bearman’s highest result was P4 in the Feature Race around Monaco.
His PREMA Racing teammate, Andrea Kimi Antonelli has also struggled. The young Italian, much like Bearman, has the attention of a Formula 1 team in Mercedes as he has been named as a potential replacement for Lewis Hamilton.
But after the lights went out for today’s F2 Sprint Race, Bearman took the lead from Kush Maini into Turn 1 and then had a lights-to-flag victory. In the post-Sprint Race press conference, FormulaNerds spoke to Bearman about his season.
‘I wouldn’t say it’s hurting my F2 season’
Bearman is the current reserve driver for Ferrari and Haas. He is also a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy. So far this season, he has completed two FP1 sessions in Imola and Spain.
FormulaNerds asked Bearman just how much impact his F1 work has had on his F2 season given the difficulties he has faced. In response, Bearman highlighted that he feels it depends on the track, but admitted he feels the FP1 sessions are only a good thing. The PREMA Racing driver said:
“I think it all sort of depends a bit on the track. For example, in Imola I was on the front row in qualifying after doing FP1, and where I would say it didn’t really affect me, but definitely in Barcelona where you just get two laps in qualifying and if on lap one, if you miss a little bit, it’s impossible to make the step for Lap 2.
Ollie doesn't seem so grizzly after that one! ??#F2 #AustrianGP @OllieBearman pic.twitter.com/eyTiBWoZ5n
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) June 29, 2024
“In a situation like that, it can be a little bit hurtful. But on the other side, the FP1s have given me a good amount of experience in an F1 car and you know, I feel like whenever I get the Haas I’m showing my skill and that I’m getting up to speed faster and I’m getting more used to the car.
“As far as that side, I wouldn’t say it’s hurting my F2 season, but it’s once again about balancing.”
Combined preparation for F1 and F2
Additionally in the press conference, Bearman spoke to media about balancing both F1 and F2 work, particularly in such a condensed time frame that this triple-header and upcoming double-header pose.
The Sprint-Race winner said that “in training with Ferrari”, he’s working on minimising “the negative side of jumping between F1 and F2.” He continued saying:
“[I’m] not saying there is a negative, but I need to be ready for that, so practising on the simulator and getting ready for that. Of course, physically F1 is a much bigger challenge so I’m also trying to get ready for that with my neck.”
Bearman also touched on the mental strain of switching between the two championships, saying: “The mental strain is quite high when I’m doing F1 and F2. On Thursdays and even Fridays, I don’t have time to have lunch or anything, I’m just running between PREMA and Haas, but it’s for good reason.”
Next weekend is the final weekend of the triple-header with the British Grand Prix. For Bearman, it marks the eighth round of the F2 season, but his third FP1 session as well.
Headline Image: X @Formula2