Oliver Berman: One day I will be able to race wherever I want.

      Most Formula 1 drivers’ contracts do not allow them to take part in other events or risk their lives, so in the Baku paddock they were so interested in discussing Max Verstappen’s trip to the Nürburgring and his participation in the race on the Nordschleife.

      Young Haas F1 driver Oliver Bearman envies Verstappen’s privileges and in Baku recalled his first trip around the Nordschleife — with his parents…

      Oliver Bearman: “I hope that one day I’ll reach a stage in my career where I can race wherever and whatever I want. Unfortunately I haven’t got there yet. Max’s example shows once again that he’s an exceptional driver. I haven’t followed it closely, but it’s so great that he just turned up at the Nordschleife and delivered a result.

      I remember in 2020 my parents and I spent the weekend at the Nürburgring. I was racing in German Formula 4 at the time. It was during the coronavirus pandemic. We drove from England in our family SUV, an Audi Q7, bought tickets for three laps of the Nordschleife and drove it in that.

      I was only 15, I couldn’t take the wheel, but I knew the track from a computer game and was telling my dad which corners to go flat-out in and where to lift off the throttle — he didn’t know the track. So I took the passenger seat and my mum had to sit in the back. She was very nervous when we set off and got out after the first lap.

      We did the second lap without her and much faster, then stopped briefly and I saw brake fluid leaking from the car, so we didn’t go for the third attempt — we decided to spare the car so I could get to school the next day.”