Bearman Aiming For Feature Race Victory After Jeddah Pole

PREMA’s Oliver Bearman returned to form in FIA Formula 2 with a statement performance in Qualifying for Round 2 of the season in Saudi Arabia.

The Ferrari Academy Driver pipped Invicta Racing’s Kush Maini to pole position in Jeddah by a quarter-of-a-tenth-of-a-second (0.025s).

It’s the British driver’s fourth pole position in F2, while team mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli confirmed PREMA’s return to form with P6.

? "YEEEEEES!!!" @insideFDA driver @OllieBearman secured his first pole position of the season in a closely fought Jeddah Qualifying session ?#SaudiArabianGP #F2 pic.twitter.com/sbdvZpTgsK
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) March 7, 2024

Bearman, 18, described Qualifying as ‘a great start to the weekend’.

“[It’s] really nice to be back to where we belong,” he said after the session.

The pole follows a dreadful opening weekend of the season in Bahrain, where Bearman walked away with no points scored.

“It was such a tough weekend in Bahrain, and a lot of things happened. To come back here and put the car on pole, I’m really, really happy.”

The teenager said he was proud of the team for believing in him and for working so hard to right the wrongs of Bahrain.

BEARMAN GRABS POLE! ?
The Brit bounces back from a difficult Bahrain weekend #SaudiArabianGP #F2 pic.twitter.com/0przGFpjPc
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) March 7, 2024

Bearman well placed to launch title challenge

After the troubles of Bahrain, Bearman and PREMA desperately needed this weekend in Saudi Arabia to get off to a good start.

And his performance in Qualifying has not only done that, but put him in an excellent position to lay a marker down for his expected title-push in 2024.

“We are in the best possible spot for the races now,” Bearman said, adding that he’s hoping to finish this year’s Sprint Race on Friday.

In 2023, Bearman was running in the top eight when eventual 2023 FIA Formula 2 Champion, Théo Pourchaire, collided with him, taking both drivers out of the race.

The Brit will be aiming to secure his first race points of 2024 on Friday, having scored two for Thursday’s pole position.

And on Saturday, he has one aim – to win the Feature Race, which would bring 25 points.

“I would be lying if I didn’t say I want to win [on Saturday]. I feel like we can be fast. [I’m] excited to get going.”

Image: Formula Motorsport Limited

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