Oliver Bearman Claims F2 Pole in Jeddah, Then Gets Called Up to Ferrari for F1 Debut
The 2024 Formula 2 weekend at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix took a stunning and unprecedented turn as Ferrari junior Oliver Bearman not only clinched pole position during qualifying, but was also called up to replace Carlos Sainz in Formula 1 shortly afterward. The chaos, drama, and emerging talent on display during the Jeddah qualifying session have already marked it as one of the most memorable moments of the season.
🇸🇦 Lights, Speed, and Surprises in Jeddah
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit, with its blinding speed, tight walls, and relentless corners, has never been a forgiving venue. The 6.174 km street circuit demands perfection, and in the high-stakes environment of Formula 2—where rookies and veterans alike fight for their futures—the 2024 qualifying session was set to deliver fireworks.
And deliver it did.
With the pressure rising under the floodlights, it was Oliver Bearman driving for Prema Racing who lit up the timing screens. The British teenager pulled together a near-flawless lap to secure pole position, bouncing back in spectacular fashion from a frustrating outing in Bahrain.
“We worked really hard after Bahrain,” Bearman said. “To come here and put it all together at a track as intense as Jeddah—it’s a great feeling.”
🥇 Top Qualifying Results (Before Bearman’s Withdrawal)
- Oliver Bearman (Prema Racing)
- Kush Maini (Invicta Racing)
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Invicta Racing)
- Zane Maloney (Rodin Motorsport)
- Paul Aron (Hitech Pulse-Eight)
- Richard Verschoor (Trident)
- Dennis Hauger (MP Motorsport)
- Victor Martins (ART Grand Prix)
- Isack Hadjar (Campos Racing)
- Jack Doohan (Invicta Racing)
💥 The Shock: From F2 Pole to F1 Call-Up
Shortly after securing pole, the paddock was stunned by breaking news: Carlos Sainz was diagnosed with appendicitis and would not compete in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. In a bold and unprecedented move, Scuderia Ferrari selected Oliver Bearman—still suited up for F2—to step in for his Formula 1 debut.
The announcement sent shockwaves through the motorsport world, instantly turning Bearman from F2 frontrunner to the youngest British driver to ever race in Formula 1.
“It’s a dream come true,” Bearman told reporters shortly after the call-up. “It’s all happened so fast, but I’m ready to give it everything.”
The move meant Bearman would not compete in the F2 Feature Race, despite earning pole. His withdrawal automatically promoted Kush Maini to pole position for Sunday’s race, setting up a golden opportunity for the Invicta Racing driver.
🔍 What the Numbers Say
Bearman’s pole time was reportedly more than a tenth clear of Maini—an impressive margin at a circuit where the top ten were separated by less than a second. The session also marked the continued rise of Invicta Racing, who placed two drivers (Maini and Bortoleto) in the top three.
Elsewhere, Trident’s Richard Verschoor and Hitech’s Paul Aron put in solid performances to round out the top five, while Bahrain Sprint Race winner Zane Maloney also maintained his strong form.
Notably, Jack Doohan—backed by Alpine—qualified just outside the top 10, setting up a tough but possible charge in the Sprint and Feature Races.
🏎️ Grid Shake-Up for the Feature Race
With Bearman’s departure to F1, the revised front row for the F2 Feature Race becomes:
- Kush Maini
- Gabriel Bortoleto
- Zane Maloney
Maini, who’s been one of the most consistent drivers in the field, now finds himself with a clear track ahead and the best chance of his F2 career to capture a Feature Race win.
“Obviously I’d rather earn pole on track, but these things happen. We’re focused and ready to capitalize,” said Maini.
🧠 What It Means for the Season
Bearman’s call-up is not just a major story for this weekend—it could have lasting effects:
- If he performs well in F1, it may accelerate his promotion to a full-time seat in 2025.
- It creates a gap in the F2 title fight that others—like Maini, Maloney, and Bortoleto—will be eager to exploit.
- It demonstrates how fluid the driver market has become, with talent being fast-tracked like never before.
🗣️ Voices from the Paddock
Frederic Vasseur (Ferrari Team Principal):
“We trust Oliver’s ability and calm under pressure. It’s a big step, but the opportunity is well-deserved.”
Gabriel Bortoleto:
“We’ve got a strong car and a clear target. Anything can happen on Sunday in Jeddah.”
Richard Verschoor:
“Happy with P6. We’ve got a solid base, and we’ll push hard in both races.”
🏁 What’s Next?
With the F2 grid reshuffled and the pressure on, all eyes will be on the Feature Race—where veterans and rookies alike now see an open door in Bearman’s absence.
Meanwhile, Bearman himself will make his F1 debut with Ferrari, taking on one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar with virtually no preparation. It’s a baptism by fire—but also the ultimate opportunity to prove he belongs at the very top.
Conclusion: A Qualifying Session That Changed More Than Just the Grid
What began as a strong qualifying performance in Formula 2 turned into a historic breakthrough for Oliver Bearman. And while he won’t be racing for F2 points in Jeddah, he may have already won something even more valuable: a ticket to Formula 1’s future.