OLIVER BEARMAN narrowly missed out on making Q3 on his Formula One debut in Saudi Arabia.
The 18-year-old will start P11 in Saturday’s race after an impressive qualifier.
Oliver Bearman will start P11 in Saturday’s race
AFPThe teen apologised after missing out by a fraction of a second[/caption]
Bearman was a late call up to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz withdrew due to injury.
But he impressed in qualifying and almost made Q3, which would have given him a chance to place higher on the grid.
Bearman lost out to compatriot Sir Lewis Hamilton but his team bosses offered encouragement as he finished.
One said: “That was a good lap, good last sector.”
The 18-year-old replied: “Sorry.”
Bearman missed out on Q2 by just 0.036seconds, with the teen describing it as a “messy session”.
His team responded saying: “It was a tough one. Super difficult.”
Bearman’s team-mate Charles Leclerc also impressed and qualified for Saturday’s race in second place on the grid, with Max Verstappen taking pole.
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But for Bearman it is all a learning experience with the Essex youngster set to become Britain’s youngest ever Formula 1 driver.
He will also be the first Brit to represent Ferrari since Eddie Irvine in 1999.
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