Haas Formula 1 rookie Oliver Bearman could hardly stay away from racing, even during his three-week break between the British and Belgian Grands Prix. After showcasing his talent at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Bearman took a trip to Sweden, where he discovered a corporate kart track near his accommodation and immediately embarked on a determined challenge to beat a lap record.
His Sweden karting quest reignited his competitive drive, integrating holiday relaxation with his passion for motorsport.
The challenge of a short but demanding lap
Bearman described the track as a
“short lap, only 29 seconds, so you had to be super precise”
and acknowledged the difficulty of overtaking the existing record. Initially, he was “three or four tenths off” the lap time he aimed to beat. His girlfriend’s family had encouraged him to attempt the record, sparking a serious effort to challenge Sweden’s local karting phenomenon.
Persisting through hours of attempts, Bearman pushed beyond mere casual laps, treating the quest with professional intensity.
Innovative tactics to overcome obstacles
In order to shave off every possible fraction of a second, Bearman and his team implemented creative solutions. This included removing fuel to lighten the kart, using a leaf blower to cool the engine between runs, and having his girlfriend monitor and adjust the tyres carefully. The engine’s performance suffered in the heat, so they even removed some of the kart’s bodywork to prevent power loss.
On his final day, after installing new tires and adjusting pressures meticulously, Bearman managed to beat the lap record by just half a tenth of a second. He recalled,
“I did like 15 laps where I was 0.03 or 0.04 away from it. And when you’re that close, you can’t quit until you win!”
Focus and determination on each lap
Every detail mattered during Bearman’s attempt, including his clothing choices and driving posture.
“I went with normal clothes, but I made sure to have shorts and a thin t-shirt on to keep the weight down. And even on the straights, I was head down. I wasn’t messing around,”
he said. The karting experience, though on a corporate track, became a highly technical and focused exercise resembling professional racing conditions.
Connecting with his roots during downtime
For Bearman, who is just 20 years old, the karting pursuit served as a way to reconnect with the foundation of his racing journey and enjoy a break from Formula 1 pressures. He described the opportunity as
“such a beautiful country as well. It was really the perfect way to spend the time off.”
Although he hadn’t planned to kart daily, he found himself drawn back by his affection for the sport.
He explained,
“It’s in the blood and really takes you back to where you started and love the sport so much. It was really nice to do that, but also nice to take a week off and not think about racing while still being competitive and enjoying the driving as well.”
The break also helped him reflect on a challenging Silverstone weekend before eagerly preparing for Spa.
Puzzle over the outstanding local record holder
Despite his success, Bearman remained impressed by the karting record he had chased. He joked,
“I don’t know. He should be in F1!”
while speculating that the local might simply benefit from being lighter. He mentioned the extreme cold conditions when the record was set, saying,
“Apparently, this guy did the lap record in like April or May, when it’s like minus 20 there. That’s how he did it, I think. That’s my excuse!”
This humorous reflection highlights how environmental factors and physical attributes could play a significant role in lap times at the karting level.
The broader significance of Bearman’s quest
Oliver Bearman’s Sweden karting quest illustrates the enduring passion and intensity of a young driver eager to remain connected to his roots, sharpen his skills, and embrace competition, even outside the formal F1 calendar. This experience reflects the restless nature of a rising star in motorsport, blending moments of relaxation with high-stakes challenges.
As Bearman moves forward in his rookie campaign and across upcoming races, the lessons learned in Sweden—precision, adaptability, and determination—are sure to influence his performance and fuel his ambition within the top tier of racing.
Our Reader’s Queries
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A. Yes, using number 13 is permitted. In 2014, Pastor Maldonado chose #13 when fixed numbers started in F1. While some cultures see it as unlucky, F1 lets drivers decide.
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