Oliver Bearman, the Ferrari reserve driver, made his surprising Formula 1 qualifying debut in Saudi Arabia. Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, praised Bearman, stating that he himself wasn’t ready for Formula 1 at 18. Bearman replaced Carlos Sainz, who was recovering from an appendectomy. Despite limited practice, Bearman finished 11th in qualifying, narrowly missing out on Q3 by just 0.036 seconds. Hamilton expressed his admiration for Bearman’s performance and praised his talent and quick adaptation to challenging circumstances. Hamilton also acknowledged the difference in times and progression in the sport, reflecting on his own experience in Formula 3 at 18. Hamilton, who will join Ferrari next year, recognized the upcoming race as a significant challenge for Bearman, but acknowledged the potential of his car to handle the tires well. Max Verstappen, the current world champion, also praised Bearman’s debut, emphasizing the difficulty of racing on the high-speed, high-risk Jeddah circuit. Verstappen praised Bearman’s impressive performance, recognizing the stress and pressure that comes with entering a new car with no prior experience. Verstappen expressed hope that Bearman was satisfied with his own performance, as he believed everyone in the paddock recognized the rookie’s exceptional work.
Fernando Alonso was on his way to winning his first Formula 1 championship in the year Bearman was born (2005), which the Spaniard described as “incredible.”
“He is an exceptional driver, extremely talented. This is not the easiest circuit to debut on, but he did exceptionally well today and I believe he will have a strong race tomorrow,” Alonso added.
Sergio Perez also acknowledged the challenging challenge that the Jeddah track represents for any Formula 1 rookie, while praising the newest driver to join the team.
“It’s a place where you don’t want to debut, because it’s one of the most demanding circuits,” admitted the Mexican driver.
“It’s a track where you have to take more risks, where you have to have more confidence with the car and its balance.
“So, yes, I have a lot of respect for what he achieved today. I think he did an exceptional job.
“It just shows how well prepared he was for this opportunity. So, congratulations to him.”
“I was really impressed with Ollie. I saw him in Formula 2 and I remember watching his laps in Mexico last year,” added George Russell.
“I thought he was driving exceptionally well and he definitely exceeded my expectations.”
Charles Leclerc, from Ferrari, had the opportunity to witness Bearman’s baptism of fire in Formula 1 first-hand and, like his fellow Grand Prix winners, could only speak highly of the teenager’s performance.
“First, I wish a speedy recovery to Carlos Sainz. As for Ollie, he did an amazing job,” commented Leclerc during the post-qualifying press conference.
“Not participating in FP1 and FP2 is a significant disadvantage, but since FP3, he was on pace.
“It was great to see, and I’m sure it’s a very, very special weekend for him.
“I remember my first race in Formula 1, and I wasn’t driving for Ferrari, and I had several months to prepare for it, so I can’t even imagine how special it is for him to get the call this morning and get into a Ferrari on such a challenging circuit.
“So, I hope we can score valuable points tomorrow so he can cherish those memories forever.”
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The football star, Cristiano Ronaldo, is causing controversy once again. This time, it’s not because of his skills on the field, but rather because of his actions off the field. The Portuguese player was caught at a Las Vegas casino, betting large sums of money. This has raised concerns about his behavior and his commitment to the sport.
Ronaldo, known for his dedication to training and discipline, has been criticized for his recent choices. Many believe that the player is losing focus and getting carried away by the luxurious life that his success has afforded him. Additionally, there are concerns about the impact this image may have on his younger fans, who see him as a role model.
However, Ronaldo has his supporters. Many argue that he has the right to enjoy his money and have fun as he pleases. Furthermore, they point out that the player has been a model of professionalism throughout his career, and that a visit to a casino should not be such a controversial issue.
As the controversy continues, it is important to remember that Ronaldo is a human being just like anyone else. He has his flaws and moments of weakness. Ultimately, what really matters is his performance on the field. As long as he continues to deliver results and help his team win, it is difficult to argue against him.
However, this does not mean that we should not question his choices. As a sports icon, Ronaldo has a responsibility to be a good example for his fans. It is important for him to reflect on his actions and consider the impact they may have on his image and how he is perceived by the public.
At the end of the day, the controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo is just another chapter in the tumultuous life of one of the greatest football players of all time. As long as he continues to attract attention both on and off the field, discussions about his actions will continue to exist. It remains to be seen how he will deal with this and if he will be able to overcome yet another obstacle in his career.
