'It was a call from Fred' - how Ollie Bearman moved into Ferrari F1 seat

With his Formula 2 driver called up to drive for Ferrari in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after illness for Calos Sainz, PREMA Racing team boss René Rosin says the team can be proud of what he has achieved.

Oliver Bearman arrives in the Formula 1 paddock on Friday in Jeddah. (Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Rosin watches on intently from the FIA Formula 2 paddock area at turn eight in Jeddah, with Bearman’s car under covers behind him.

Bearman has exceeded expectations in his brief debut so far, missing out on Q3 and qualifying 11th for the grand prix by just over six-hundredths of a second.

“For sure it is a great result,” says Rosin.

“Jumping in Formula 1 this afternoon, not really much time.”

“In his mind, he was preparing for the F2 sprint race, then he got a last minute call by Scuderia to subsitute Carlos."

“It’s a moment of emotion for him, but as well for us because he and other PREMA drivers going into Formula 1, especially with Ferrari, is something to be proud of.”

PREMA team principal René Rosin (middle) watches on in Jeddah. (Joe Portlock/Formula 1/Getty Images)

The experienced team boss says that he was in communication with Ferrari since Sainz reported feeling his symptoms worsen on Thursday, with the final call made by Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur.

“Ferrari was communicating with us since Thursday…”

And when the decision was made over Sainz’s health, Rosin says “I got a phone call from Fred advising me of this.”

PREMA has the Formula 2 feature race to focus on with their other driver, Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Oliver Bearman’s car remains under cover after being withdrawn from the Formula 2 round in Jeddah. (Joe Portlock/Formula 1/Getty Images)

After that, it’s generally a quick pack down to prepare for the next event, but Rosin says they will be tempted to stop and watch the big screen to track Bearman’s progress.

“We need to prepare the car for Melbourne… but we will look for sure at the race Ollie will do, and we will enjoy.”

Speaking of Melbourne, while Sainz has already undergone surgery to have his appendix removed, there has been no indication if he will return in time for the Australian Grand Prix in a fortnight.

“I don’t know, honestly,” says Rosin about who will be driving his team’s second car in round three.

“I hope that Ollie will be back with us because he is our experienced driver, but we will see the next days and then we will discuss with Ferrari.”

Bearman will be in action with lights out for the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at 4am Sunday (AEDT), with Formula 2 to return in a fortnight at the Australian grand prix.

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