Mention Varano to locals, and the Autodromo Riccardo Paletti is the first thing that springs to mind. This circuit has been a launching pad for countless young drivers competing in the early racing categories, leading them toward the prestigious ranks of Formula 3 and Formula 2—essential proving grounds for the elite world of Formula One.
Currently making waves in Formula 2 with the Prema team is 19-year-old Oliver Bearman from Chelmsford, England.
A member of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy, Bearman also holds the position of third Reserve Driver for Scuderia Ferrari HP. His debut came in dramatic fashion at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this March when he was called up to replace Carlos Sainz, who was sidelined by appendicitis.
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Bearman’s entry into the Formula One scene was nothing short of sensational. Called up just two hours before the practice session on the Friday of the Jeddah meet, the British teenager stunned the racing world with his performance.
On race day, despite being up against seasoned and faster competitors, Bearman advanced from 11th place to a remarkable 7th-place finish, earning him ‘Driver of the Day’ honors from fans and securing six points on the driver’s board—an incredible feat for his first Formula One race.
Today, however, Oliver Bearman isn’t at the Autodromo Varano De’ Melegari near Parma to take a single-seater out for a spin. Instead, he’s been given the keys to a Ferrari SF90 XX Spider, taking it on a journey through the winding country roads that snake through the Emilia-Romagna region’s picturesque hills.
The rolling hills above the circuit provide the ideal terrain to explore the full potential of a car boasting over a thousand horsepower. “When you first get in the car,” Oliver shares, “you’re tempted to turn off all the electronic driving aids, but after driving a few kilometers with them on, I have to say they’re exceptionally well-calibrated. They enhance the driving experience without being overly intrusive.”
But it’s the car’s extraordinary responsiveness that truly reveals the SF90 XX Spider’s racing heritage. “The steering is amazing—precise and immediately reactive,” Oliver observes after his drive. “The power delivery, thanks to the hybrid component, is almost instantaneous, with minimal lag.”
Bearman admits that the experience of driving this particular Spider had a dual effect on him: “Without a roof over my head, it felt more relaxing. It reminded me to savor life at a slower, more deliberate pace, unlike the usual frenetic rush of daily life.” The breathtaking landscape encouraged him to ease off the throttle, allowing some of that immense power to rest.
“But,” he adds with a smile, “then I realized those feelings came from missing some of my usual racing gear—like the helmet! In some ways, driving this Ferrari feels a bit like being in a single-seater cockpit, but with a windscreen instead of the halo.”
This was Bearman’s first time driving a Ferrari outside of Formula One test sessions and that unforgettable Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Reflecting on the experience, he says, “The SF90 XX Spider and the Formula One SF-24 are completely different beasts, yet, incredibly, they share the same power output—something only Ferrari could achieve.”
The charming hills of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna also made a lasting impression on the young driver. “If my racing career goes well, I’d love to have a house around here someday.
I might have a tough time choosing between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany, though. Settling down here with the Varano circuit nearby sounds perfect, but I also love the Tuscan landscape and especially the Mugello track,” he muses. Here’s to hoping that Oliver Bearman gets the chance to live near the track that stirs his soul the most in the future.
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