F1 | Bearman backstory: controls reversed with Sainz's steering wheel

For a week it looked like Oliver Bearman was F1's new sensation. Then the return of Carlos Sainz on his SF-24 in Australia and the Spaniard's success at Albert Park partly reduced what remains an excellent debut for “Ollie” in the Circus.

The Englishman from the FDA was ready when the Scuderia called to replace the Madrilenian in Jeddah who was forced into hospital by an attack of appendicitis which forced him to undergo emergency surgery. He had missed free practice on Friday because he had driven Carlos and had entered into action on Saturday in FP3 showing an excellent adaptation to the greater power of the red car compared to the Dallara with which he had won pole position in the Formula 2 race which he then had to give up due to the rules that prohibit racing in two categories of the same event.

Bearman, narrowly out of Q3 in qualifying, had led Ferrari to seventh place at the checkered flag, ahead of two more experienced Britons such as Lando Norris (McLaren) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes). How should the English boy's debut be archived? Certainly in a flattering way for the simple reason that it brought the car to the finish line without errors and contributed to the Cavallino's haul of points.

Having said that, after some time, some curious background stories emerge that humanise the debut of a very young man in F1. Ollie had an extraordinary mental ability to manage pressure and avoid mistakes that could affect his performance.

Oliver Bearman, Scuderia Ferrari

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

But it wasn't all rosy. Bearman had to overcome some difficulties and had a very good adaptation principle. The Englishman, since he was appointed reserve pilot for the Cavallino, has participated in the development work of the SF-24 with shifts in the simulator. Oliver has always used Charles Leclerc's steering wheel which is different from the one used by Carlos Sainz.

In Jeddah, as soon as the Prema pilot was put on pre-alarm to drive in Saudi Arabia, he asked Charles about the possibility of using the Monegasque's computer steering wheel on the Ferrari #38. Obviously, and not out of malice, Leclerc refused, preferring to have a spare steering wheel at his disposal. Rational and non-punitive decision. The fact is that Ollie found himself discovering Carlos' steering wheel just before getting into the car.

The steering wheel of Carlos Sainz and Oliver Bearman, Ferrari SF-24

Picture of: Giorgio Piola

The wheel of Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24

Picture of: Giorgio Piola

It must be said that the two Ferrari drivers have appropriately customized configurations to have the best ergonomics in the adjustments on the steering wheel. The main difference can be seen in the clutch control levers. Charles uses a single paddle on the right side, just below the gear shift paddle, while Sainz prefers to have two controls, one on each side, with the finger where you can insert your finger. The Madrilenian likes the two paddles which are placed at 7.20 o'clock, lower than where the steering wheel rim ends.

It is intuitive that the operation of the respective levers requires very different movements that need to be trained. Indeed, to be more precise, they must be memorized and automated during simulator training sessions. Bearman, therefore, certainly couldn't have had the best feeling in the clutch release at the start: he was 11th on the grid and maintained his position with dignity.

The steering wheel of Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24

Picture of: Giorgio Piola

The wheel of Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24

Picture of: Giorgio Piola

And another surprise for Bearman came at the first activation of the DRS: the Englishman selected the button from which Sainz can trigger the mobile wing, while on Leclerc's steering wheel it is the command that acts on the braking distributor, so risked changing the brakes balance.

It is not an unusual fact that the driver can get confused, especially when there is a change on the steering wheel computer: for intellectual honesty it should be remembered that Charles also had a similar experience after he had asked for a change to certain parameters in the second part of the 2023 season. to the controls on the steering wheel. The Monegasque in Abu Dhabi, convinced to activate the radio, took a… bath with the liquid contained in the water bottle, forgetting the different settings. And it shouldn't surprise him that the drink button on the SF-24 has been removed from the steering wheel.

Oliver Bearman must have thought: “But how many things are there to memorize?”

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Riccardo Adami, Sainz's track engineer who Bearman inherited in Saudi Arabia, had very positive words for the rookie: “I was surprised about Ollie how fast and quick he was in understanding and executing the things we discussed together previously. For example, for once we had a problem with the button of the radio that was left on, which I had briefly told him about before the session. I had explained to him that there are two buttons for the radio, there is one even in the cockpit. He noticed it immediately and was able to react very quickly, turning off the radio.”

Oliver was able to assimilate a series of information acquired shortly before getting into the car…
“Ollie was like a sponge who was able to absorb all the guidance we gave him, he was surprisingly good.”