Haas F1 Team driver Ollie Bearman recently spent part of his break between the British and Belgian Grands Prix vacationing in Sweden, where he turned his attention to a local karting track. Fueled by determination to break the existing lap time record, Bearman made several visits to the circuit, employing creative techniques including cooling the engine with leaf blowers, preparing tires to their optimal temperature, and even using a car ahead to catch a slipstream boost.

The Emergence of Elton Zevenwacht, the Unlikely Competitor

After numerous attempts, Bearman succeeded in surpassing the track record and humorously noted that the previous holder should be competing in Formula 1. This local talent was Elton Zevenwacht, a driver with no professional racing background. Upon learning of Bearman’s accomplishment, Zevenwacht returned to the track and further lowered the lap record, reclaiming his top spot.

Implications and Speculation on Bearman’s Future Visits

As of now, it remains unclear whether Bearman will request additional time off to return for another challenge in Sweden. This episode highlights the competitive spirit and passion that drive even top-level drivers like Bearman during their downtime.

Background on the Author and Perspective

The story is reported by Phillip Horton, a UK-based journalist who began covering Formula 1 while at university. With a deep enthusiasm for the sport and its global travels, Horton has been writing full-time since 2014 and joined Autoweek in 2021. His relatability and insight bring a genuine enthusiasm to following Formula 1’s dynamic world tour.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. How many languages does Oliver Bearman speak?

A. Ollie Bearman knows how to speak English and is learning Italian. He naturally speaks English but has picked up some basic Italian skills. He completed high school by 16 and then headed to Italy to concentrate on his racing career.