F1 Urged To Consider Andretti Cadillac As Oliver Bearman Saviour
Formula 1 journalist Matt Bishop believes unique talent such as Ferrari reserve driver Oliver Bearman deserves a place on the Formula 1 grid. This is where newly established teams like Andretti Cadillac enter the scene, providing a platform for emerging drivers to showcase their talents.
Key Takeaways:
- Matt Bishop advocates for emerging talents like Oliver Bearman to join Formula 1, citing potential opportunities with new teams like Andretti Cadillac.
- Andretti Cadillac's entry into Formula 1 is postponed until 2028, due to concerns over value and infrastructure, coinciding with General Motors' power unit supply.
- Bishop suggests expanding the grid, citing past instances like the 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix, to provide more opportunities for talents like Bearman, who may return to F2 due to limited openings despite an impressive F1 debut.
Andretti Press Image
Though the FIA approved the American team's entry into the sport, the FOM paused the entry until 2028, when team partner General Motors becomes an official power unit supplier in the sport.
While one reason stated for the denial is that Andretti Cadillac doesn't bring enough value to the sport, several personnel on the grid also called out infrastructural limitations that would hinder an eleventh team from operating efficiently on certain circuits.
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While writing for Motorsport Magazine, Bishop quotes several instances from the distant past when there were 24 cars on the grid in the 2010 Bahrain season opener. He mentions this from a time when Grand Prix outcomes were less unpredictable. Therefore, with the increase in the number of cars on the grid back then, more opportunities arose for emerging talents.
Bearman, who stepped in for Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as the Spaniard had to undergo surgery for appendicitis, achieved a remarkably impressive seventh place in his Formula 1 debut race in Jeddah, stunning the entire grid.
Nonetheless, with Sainz expected to reclaim his Ferrari seat in Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix, Bearman will have to return to focus on his F2 pursuits despite deserving a place in F1.
Unfortunately for him, for the rest of the 2024 season, his time in a Formula 1 car will likely be limited to a Free Practice 1 run in Haas' VF-24 F1 car. Thus, with a message to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, Michael and Mario Andretti, Bishop states what additional teams could offer an excellent driver like Bearman.
Furthermore, he emphasized that the 2010 season opener featured 24 racing cars, indicating that the infrastructure exists to support additional teams. He wrote:
"The 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix grid consisted of 24 cars. There was garage space to accommodate all 12 teams. Michael and Mario Andretti (and Stefano Domenicali, too), please take note.
"After all, if there were 12 (or even 11) teams on the grid now (or even soon), Ollie Bearman would surely be given an opportunity to become an F1 star. Three days ago he proved he deserves one.
"As things stand, a little bit of free practice for Haas looks like being the apogee of his feasible imminent ambition."