When we make a list of Scuderia Ferrari’s F1 drivers we automatically think of the world champions like Michael Schumacher, Kimi Räikkönen, Juan Manuel Fangio, Niki Lauda etc. Over the years we have seen numerous world class drivers try to tame the prancing horse. And Ollie Bearman joins that list with a 52 year old record to his name.
Ollie Bearman Broke Ferrari F1’s 52 year old record
With a hard earned 7th place finish, Ollie took points in his Ferrari and Formula 1 debut. This makes his the only driver to score points on debut for Ferrari in the past 50 years. Before Ollie, Arturo Merzario took points in his debut race in 1972. For reference, Ollie’s father David Bearman wasn’t even born when this happened.
A very happy birthday to Arturo Merzario – a man with style, clearly.
The last man to score points on debut for Ferrari *before* Ollie Bearman spoke to Rob Widdows in 2021:https://t.co/ZyGMGkjg2m pic.twitter.com/hIoj5ZNK5g
— Motor Sport magazine (@Motor_Sport) March 11, 2024
Ollie is ready for a full Formula 1 season
Post race, Ollie Bearman said, “Physically it was a really difficult race! Especially in the end, when I had the two guys on soft behind me, I had to basically push flat out and it was a mentally difficult race as expected, and physically I was struggling too, but great fun out there.”
His performance was cheered by other F1 drivers including fellow Brit Lewis Hamilton who was waiting for Bearman in the pit and gave him a hug.
Who was Arthur Merzario?
Merzario made waves when he won the Mugello Grand Prix in 1969 in a 2-litre Abarth, leading him to a works Ferrari contract for 1970. He made his Formula One debut in 1972 at the British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch. He was one of the few drivers to score points in their first race, finishing in sixth place. This achievement marked him as the last driver whose debut team was Ferrari until Oliver Bearman in the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Journey with Ferrari and Beyond
In 1973, Ferrari confirmed Merzario for the whole season however the car, the 312B3, proved to be a disappointment, leading to a change in the team for the 1974 season. Merzario moved to Williams in 1974, and finally moved out of F1 to return to sports cars with Alfa Romeo the next year. Finally in 1977, Merzario debuted Team Merzario, his own team.
