Bearman makes comparison to Antonelli: 'It's a similar problem we have'
F1 News
Oliver Bearman is the only driver confirmed so far this season to be making the move from Formula 2 to Formula 1. The Brit will be joining Haas on a multi-year deal, as both Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen depart the American team. Prior to the confirmation at Silverstone though, there had been much media speculation over whether he was the right fit for the team.
Bearman made his F1 debut this season in Saudi Arabia, after he replaced a unwell Carlos Sainz. The Brit finished ahead of both Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton, demonstrating his talent. However, he has not been as fortunate in F2, where he is currently 13th out of the 22 drivers. Like Bearman, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is another F2 driver who has been rumoured to step into Formula One next season, with interest indicated by Mercedes. However, he also doesn't consume a top three spot in the standinds, as he sits eighth. The PREMA driver also only entered F2 this season.
With both of their performances, questions have been raised in the media over the decisions for the potential F1 seats. Although Bearman's is confirmed, there is no update on Antonelli. Speaking to GPblog and others in the paddock, Bearman made the comparison between him and his PREMA teammate regarding the pressure they have both faced: "I would say it’s a similar problem that we have. I think both Kimi and I are the most, I would say, probably even Kimi more so than me, but we are quite spoken about, let's say, in the media," Bearman explained. "Especially because the results that we're getting are not quite where we were expecting or expected to be. So it doesn't make it easy, but that's part of life. The media is always going to do that type of stuff. It's a blessing and a curse."
How does Bearman expect to make the transition?
Bearman moved from Chelmsford, Essex in the UK, to Modena in Italy. However, he will need to decide where to live next year when he makes the move to Haas, who have a UK base. Nevertheless, the Brit already has an idea in mind: "I don't think I'll be moving back to the UK. I quite like life in Europe, and also the sim is based in Maranello so I'm going to be spending a lot of time on the simulator for my own benefit but also for the team's benefit," he said.
"It's something I really want to push on because a lot of circuits will be new for me next year so I want to make the transition as seamless as possible by spending a lot of time on the simulator and it probably means I'll be based in Europe as well in Silverstone," the Brit concluded.