It’s been almost a week since Formula 1 was filled with a breath of fresh air thanks to Oliver Bearman. No expectations were weighing down Ferrari‘s weekend driver and he made the most of it. In fact, he put on such a spectacular show that we’re still talking about it and him. Adding credibility to his heroics, Frederic Vasseur and Co. gave an honest account of the debutant’s performance, which even left John Elkann and Ferrari’s latest acquisition, Lewis Hamilton, in the dust in Jeddah.

Hamilton’s struggles with the Mercedes W15 continued in Jeddah as he failed to make an impression in the second race running. Finishing in P9, Hamilton was almost 5 seconds behind Bearman. This scenario has added weightage to Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari and their decision to invest $500 million in the Brit.

On the other hand, Bearman not only drove flawlessly after getting his hands on an F1 car just 24 hours ago, but he also delivered his fastest time on the penultimate lap. Seeing this performance, the entire Ferrari team was in awe, and the account by Jock Clear, the driving instructor for all Ferrari drivers, speaks volumes.

Clear said, “What surprised me about him in Jeddah – he exceeded our expectations. I was most upset during the final ten laps of the Grand Prix when Bearman was being chased by Norris and Hamilton. He didn’t make a single mistake and took home seventh place. He set his personal best time on the penultimate lap.” (Translated via Google) 

Read More: Oliver Bearman Effect: How Did the 18-Year-Old Rookie Become a Saviour for ”Boring” Formula 1

Such huge praise for a driver who only had one hour of practice time before being put to the test in the pinnacle of motorsport. The British driver is surely the future of Formula 1. However, before he takes on the baton, the current British world champion wants to create an unattainable legacy.

Lewis Hamilton aiming for god-level status will help Ferrari

The Brit has been the only other driver in the sport’s history to secure a record-equaling seven world titles. However, his aim remains to be the only man on top of the hill and for that, he needs the elusive eighth title. He was within touching distance in 2021 but hasn’t come close since. This is his exact motivation to move to Ferrari and if he achieves the unthinkable, Hamilton will achieve the God-status in F1, according to former Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley.

“I think when you win them [Ferrari] over as somebody like Michael Schumacher did, you are a ‘God’. And I think that that will give Lewis the little bit of motivation that perhaps he needs,” he said. I think it will be a two-way reciprocal thing because I think that Lewis can elevate the team that final few percent. And that’s all it ever needs right? You know, he can bring that final few percent to just quicken everybody’s pace just that tiny bit, that’s all you need and then turn them into a winning machine,” he said.

It’ll be a give-and-take. Hamilton will hopefully bring back the glory days for Ferrari fans and their love will push him to fight even harder for his goals. Let’s see if this partnership can bear fruit in the near future.