Haas driver Oliver Bearman has praised Lewis Hamilton, describing him as a role model for young drivers due to him being “one of the kindest and most forthcoming drivers on the grid.” 

These kind words come ahead of the 2025 Italian Grand Prix, where Hamilton is hoping to transform a difficult year so far into a podium performance in front of the passionate Tifosi.

Talking to Motorsport.com and other media ahead of the Monza race, the 20-year-old Formula 1 driver opened up about his relationship with the seven-time world champion.

“Honestly, he’s been one of the kindest and most forthcoming drivers on the grid. I remember after my first race he was incredibly kind and we sometimes catch up on the parade laps and stuff like that and always really kind and approachable, really a good model for young drivers to look up to,” Bearman said. 

“This is the type of guy that you should be, because I can imagine coming into the sport and these guys who are at the top of the sport being unapproachable – that would make it really difficult to settle into Formula 1, and that’s not been the case at all.”

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

The Ferrari driver has been impressed with Bearman since he stepped in for Carlos Sainz during the weekend of the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. With the Spaniard carted off for emergency surgery to remove his appendix, the young driver stepped in with an impressive F1 debut for the Scuderia. Finishing seventh with six points on a rushed weekend, it was clear that the Briton had a future in the championship, later confirmed when Haas offered him a contract for 2025 alongside Esteban Ocon.

Following the race, Hamilton was seen applauding the young driver. He also sent a video to Bearman, who discussed this following his contract signing with Haas.

“I received a video from him in 2015 or 2016 saying like, ‘Keep pushing and hopefully you can make it to F1 one day,’ and here I am,” he said. “I think he met one of my mum’s friends and she got him to make a video. It was the most amazing day of my life. I just actually got reminded of it yesterday, I saw the video again. It was a funny moment.”

Speaking earlier in the season at the British Grand Prix weekend, he confirmed his adoration for the 105-time race winner. 

“Lewis is someone I have watched my entire life. I learnt about his mental strength and raw speed.”

Bearman now sits alongside Hamilton as one of four (five, including Alex Albon, who races under the Thai flag) British drivers in F1.

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