In profile: Oliver Bearman

9 August 2022

Get to know PREMA Racing's Oliver Bearman better as the British driver talks us through his favourite tracks, racing memories and his love of fishing.

NAME: Oliver Bearman DATE OF BIRTH: 08/05/2005 NATIONALITY: British 2022 TEAM: PREMA Racing

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

“I grew up in town, Chelmsford, in Essex. I've lived there my whole life and I really liked it that it's I mean, I think you have a bit of bias because, of course you'd prefer where you grew up, but I think it's a really cool place.

“I spend most of my time at the gym and at home. There's a few nice restaurants but nothing crazy. Better to go to London for that type of stuff. There’s still really lovely scenery, especially where I live. It's a bit more in the countryside and it's a nice place to be.”

FIRST RACING MEMORY

“I remember my first time in a cadet car, I think I was seven years old. I was having to follow the guy round because obviously he didn't want me to crash the thing into the wall. And the first thing I did was I went into the back of him. That was my first racing memory. Totally not the best first impression. My first memory of actually watching racing is quite late. I went to the British Grand Prix in 2014, I was nine years old. And that was my goal. I was sat at the Vale chicane, the view wasn't great, but it was the sound was enough for it to be interesting, and it was a good race.”

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RACING SYTLE?

“I think at the start of the season, I've maybe been a bit too aggressive. So that's something I need to work on but I’m trying to be calculated. I think that's how I would describe it.”

WHO WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR RACING HERO?

“I would say Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna. Probably the bog-standard answer but it’s the answer for everyone, especially Schumacher. He was the first driver to have all the commitment off the track and in the gym. So that’s pretty cool. Nowadays I would look up to Charles (Leclerc) and Carlos (Sainz) for us to follow and for guiding the team. I feel like I can relate to them more.”

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST RACING ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR?

“Last year I won both F4 championships, Italian and German. It was it was a really cool achievement and I'm really proud to have done that. I remember the last weekend of the season in Monza. I had already won the championship, so there was no pressure, nothing on the table, so I could almost go out and enjoy it. It was a wet race and I was starting in P8 and I managed to win the race. That was a really proud moment. It was quite difficult to overtake and I managed to win.”

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING A RACING DRIVER?

“The pure adrenaline rush of driving. It's so easy to fall in love with, it’s addictive. That's the best thing and that's why we work so hard to go fast.”

WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX AWAY FROM RACING?

“I really enjoy active holidays where you're doing something. I think it gets a bit boring laying around for a long time. I love fishing. We went on holiday once to Florida and hired out a fishing boat every morning and it was amazing. It's so peaceful out on the sea. You feel like you're the only one and that's really cool. I think anything that's like relaxing but not doing nothing, keeping active but enjoying it.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TRACK ON THE F3 CALENDAR?

“I would have to say Silverstone. Imola is a close contender. In terms of racing the Red Bull Ring is cool. I think all the tracks are really good, but Silverstone is my favourite. It's a really high speed track. I really enjoy it. There's really good overtaking opportunities and I think it's the second fastest track that we go to on the calendar.”