Lewis Hamilton admits that he ‘wasn’t ready’ to start his F1 career like Oliver Bearman at 18

Oliver Bearman managed to stick the SF-24 in 11th place for the upcoming Saudi Arabian GP.

Lewis Hamilton admits that he ‘wasn’t ready’ to start his F1 career like Oliver Bearman at 18

Lewis Hamilton and Oliver Bearman (Via: Imago)

It was a shock transfer call that saw Oliver Bearman taking up the seat of Carlos Sainz in Ferrari, due to appendicitis surgery for the Spaniard. Moreover, if Bearman starts today’s Saudi Arabian GP, he will accomplish three massive records. Despite his lustrous junior career, Lewis Hamilton remarked that he would not have been ready if he was in the place of the young driver.

Hamilton made his debut in 2007 with McLaren and was a title contender for that season. The Brit was 23 when he got the taste of F1 machinery and believed he was quite young even back then. However, the times changed and drivers started making their debuts at an early age. Moreover, reigning world champion, Max Verstappen was just 16 when he made his debut. This brought down the age for junior drivers to start their F1 careers earlier and the seven-time champion gave his views on that.

https://youtu.be/wBTMiIFa-Ag?si=Su9SMSkZNqB1Pboy

While addressing the media, the Englishman stated:

FS Video
I definitely wasn't ready[for F1]. I think if I had come in at 18, just for me personally, because I wasn't ready, my career might not look how it has. So I'm glad I waited.
Lewis Hamilton said as reported by autosport

Hamilton was in F3 when he was 18, and was nowhere near a promotion to F1. The Briton also stated that gaining experience in the junior categories was why he could finish on the podium a dozen times consecutively. So the Englishman elaborated that he waited for the right moment to move up to the series’ pinnacle.

How will Oliver Bearman’s outing in the Saudi Arabian GP pan-out according to Lewis Hamilton?

Bearman has qualified P11 for the Saudi Arabian GP and came dangerously close to taking out Hamilton in Q2. Despite such mega efforts, the young Brit would be on the hunt for points when the lights go out for the upcoming 50-lap race.

Lewis Hamilton (via IMAGO)
Lewis Hamilton (via IMAGO)

Hamilton explained that Bearman might have a tough time adapting to the cars and stated:

He's not even done any long runs. So he's obviously got experience of the other race, F2. But I think it'll be a massive challenge. But I think he's ready. He looks in great shape. And I think the cars seemed to be kind to the tyres in the last race. So I think he just needs to keep his cool, and I would say just enjoy it.
Lewis Hamilton said as reported by Autosport

The seven-time champion elaborated that despite his compatriot’s inexperience, he managed to fight the car and qualify 11th. Moreover, Hamilton admitted that Bearman would be knocking on the door for points as he might be able to learn the car’s characteristics and adapt accordingly.

Thus, Oliver Bearman has a long race ahead and all the eyes in the paddock would be centered on him during the Saudi Arabian GP. Moreover, the Spaniard’s replacement would be hoping for a happy ending to his sudden debut in F1.

In case you missed it: