Red Bull advisor confirms talks with Ferrari star

Bearman, Marko, socials — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

Red Bull advisor confirms talks with Ferrari star

The 18-year-old is hot property

By Sam Cook.

Friday 22 March 2024 06:00

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has been discussing talks between himself and teenage Formula 1 sensation Oliver Bearman.

The Brit made a significant impact on his Ferrari debut at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as a last-minute fill-in for the injured Carlos Sainz.

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His seventh-place finish was achieved having qualified in 11th, and he had the skill to fend off fellow countrymen Lando Norris and Hamilton at the end of the race.

It has led to many suggesting that the 18-year-old should be given a full-time seat next season, with the driver market in chaos following Hamilton's shock switch to Ferrari and 13 other drivers being out of contract at the end of 2024.

Helmut Marko has been with Red Bull since 2005

Red Bull sniffing around Bearman

It remains to be seen where Bearman will end up in his career, but Ferrari will be desperate to keep hold of him, despite the exciting driver line-up they already have planned from 2025 onwards.

"We actually had an informative conversation with him [Bearman], but he was already at the Ferrari Academy," Marko told oe24.

"It is unimaginable that we would train him for Ferrari.

"They bought Hamilton at a high price and signed a long-term contract with Leclerc. I would place the boy in a smaller team like Haas next year. A year of learning never hurt anyone, it also takes pressure off."

Red Bull Ferrari Carlos Sainz Helmut Marko Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Oliver Bearman