A star is born! Oliver Bearman, 18, embraces his father in emotional scenes after stealing the limelight and finishing seventh in his first F1 race – ahead of Lewis Hamilton

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  • READ MORE: Oliver Bearman’s dad shows strain as he watches son race for F1

Oliver Bearman gave his father an emotional hug after stealing the limelight and finishing seventh in his first Formula One race. 

The 18-year-old embraced his father, David Bearman, after his impressive run during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari. 

The teenager, who won driver of the day, kissed his father on the cheek and lovingly wrapped both arms around him. 

The F2 driver managed to finish ahead of another fellow Brit Lewis Hamilton, who has won eight championships over the years and will be joining Ferrari next season. 

However, Oliver could not make it past George Russell in the other Mercedes. 

Speaking to Sky Sports after the race, Oliver joked that he was ‘a little tired’ and ‘didn’t look his best’ after his debut.

‘It was a fantastic race, pushing all the way. I was shocked at how fast we were pushing, getting quicker every lap. That was incredible.’ 

Oliver embraced his father, David Bearman, after his impressive run during the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix in Carlos Sainz 's Ferrari

Oliver embraced his father, David Bearman, after his impressive run during the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix in Carlos Sainz ‘s Ferrari

Oliver managed to get seventh place during his F1 debut, ahead of Lewis Hamilton

Oliver managed to get seventh place during his F1 debut, ahead of Lewis Hamilton  

Oliver gave his father a kiss on the cheek after the race
David said he was 'extremely proud' of his son yesterday

Oliver gave his father a kiss on the cheek and said he was ‘extremely proud’ of his teenage son yesterday

Oliver’s father looked almost sickened as he watched him race in his first Formula One qualifying stint with Ferrari yesterday. 

A video showed David Bearman looking visibly moved and breathing heavily as he watched on in the Ferrari garage.

READ MORE: Inside Formula One teen Oliver Bearman’s low-key relationship with fashionista TikTok star Estelle Ogilvy as 18-year-old makes his F1 debut in Saudi Arabia
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Oliver was almost immediately put under investigation for failing to follow the race director’s notes after potentially driving too slowly, but was cleared.

Speaking after the race, David told Sky Sports: ‘I’m extremely proud. He did well and an awesome job.’

Sainz had to drop out of the race this week because of appendicitis, but said the operation went smoothly and thanked fans for their supportive messages. 

He watched his teammate, Charles LeClerc get a podium with third place, alongside Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen, who has won two races so far this season. 

Oliver previously revealed how special it felt to drive for Ferrari in F1 as he became the first Englishman to race for The Prancing Horse since Nigel Mansell in 1990.

‘The stars have aligned,’ said Bearman. ‘It feels like such a quick progression in my career from driving in F4 a few years ago (in 2021).

‘I only did my first F1 test a few months ago (in 2023) so to make my F1 debut in red is hopefully a sign of things to come,’ he added.

‘I had no warning. I woke up this morning fully prepared and ready for my F2 race and then I got the call just a couple of hours before FP3. It’s not the circumstances I would have liked to make my debut in and I wish Carlos well but nonetheless, it’s a fantastic opportunity.’

Oliver previously revealed how special it felt to drive for Ferrari in F1 as he became the first Englishman to race for The Prancing Horse since Nigel Mansell in 1990

Oliver previously revealed how special it felt to drive for Ferrari in F1 as he became the first Englishman to race for The Prancing Horse since Nigel Mansell in 1990

Bearman, joined legends Hamilton and Fernando Alonso on the track this weekend

Bearman, joined legends Hamilton and Fernando Alonso on the track this weekend

The F2 driver managed to get head of another fellow Brit Lewis Hamilton , who has won eight championships over the years and will be joining Ferrari next season

The F2 driver managed to get head of another fellow Brit Lewis Hamilton , who has won eight championships over the years and will be joining Ferrari next season

Bearman, joined legends Hamilton and Fernando Alonso on the track this weekend.

He was just 18 months old when Lewis Hamilton made his Formula One debut and was not even born when Alonso, 42, won his first title.

The young driver admitted to Mail Sport last year that his ‘pro-education’ mum Terri needed convincing to allow him to leave the grammar school, his family and two dogs behind.

READ MORE: Oliver Bearman had to convince his mum to let him leave his grammar school to pursue his F1 dream

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Bearman eventually earned his mother’s approval join the academy in Modena, located 12 miles north of Ferrari’s Maranello factory in northern Italy. He has since developed an Italian twang.

‘Maybe I got a bit lucky not to get the Essex accent,’ he told Mail Sport last year. ‘A lot of people have told me my accent has changed, even if I don’t notice it.

‘I spend a lot of time with Italians, and communicating with people whose first language is not English isn’t easy, so I have changed my word order and ended up with this everywhere accent.

‘When I moved to Modena it happened pretty quickly. It was like going to university two years early, but I have loved every moment so far. 

‘My mum was very pro-school and very pro-education, but we managed to convince her in the end.

‘I miss my family and my dogs. I have an English bull terrier and a Boston terrier and they are very cute. 

‘That is the negative side. But the food in Italy is a big chunk above the English stuff, and the weather is better, too.’

Bearman is reportedly in a relationship with Estelle Ogilvy, who goes by the name Silly Lettuce on TikTok, where she shares her fashion inspiration and various outfits of the day. 

The couple are believed to be keen to keep their relationship under wraps having shared a photo together on social media this week, before swiftly deleting the snap.