Kimi Antonelli has experienced an unforgettable moment with his first victory in Formula 1, an event that his former teammate in Formula 2, Ollie Bearman, has described as “very special.” The highlight of this success took place at the Chinese Grand Prix, held at the Shanghai International Circuit, a triumph that has given Bearman an additional boost of confidence.
Bearman, a driver for the Haas F1 team, shared his reaction after Antonelli’s victory, noting that having been teammates in the past has improved their relationship. “We are in touch; we sent each other messages after the race,” he stated to Sky Sports F1 during an interview with Jenson Button. “I couldn’t see him in person as he was very busy after the race, but it was incredible to see him win.”
He explained that both Antonelli and he have competed in various single-seater categories and have built a bond over time. Now, even with very tight schedules, they try to keep in touch, which often boils down to brief meetings. Bearman highlighted: “It is very rare for us to see each other; typically, we only see each other at the drivers’ parade or passing through airports.”
Bearman praised Antonelli for his performance and anticipates an interesting competition between his former teammate and the Mercedes driver. “He had an amazing weekend and competed impressively with George. It will surely be an interesting season between the two,” he added.
Furthermore, Bearman made a personal reflection, expressing that Antonelli’s victory gives him hope in his own career. “I know Kimi is very talented, and seeing him win fills me with confidence that one day I can do the same,” he concluded. Currently, Bearman is in fifth place in the 2026 drivers’ standings, with a total of 17 points.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
