Oliver Bearman, the Haas Formula 1driver, recently encountered his competitor Elton Zevenwacht after the latter reclaimed the karting lap record at a small Swedish track. This back-and-forth unfolded during Bearman’s brief visit to Sweden, setting the tone for an exciting rematch as both drivers prepare for upcoming races.
Bearman targets lap record during Swedish break before Belgian Grand Prix
Following his first homegrand prix at Silverstone, Bearman took a short vacation in the town of Varberg, Sweden. While exploring the area, he discovered a nearby karting circuit and aimed to set the fastest lap there. After dedicating time and effort on the track, Bearman succeeded in establishing a new lap record, a personal challenge he embraced enthusiastically before heading to the Spa-Francorchamps circuit for the Belgian Grand Prix.
Record reclaimed by Zevenwacht sparks competitive exchange
However, 23-year-old Zevenwacht soon returned to the track and retook the lap record from Bearman. This rivalry caught the attention of the Haas F1 team, who shared footage of the moment when the two drivers met ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. Bearman expressed his frustration upon hearing the news. He shared with his team, “I wasn’t pleased at all.”
Displaying his competitive spirit, Bearman questioned Zevenwacht about specifics such as the time of day when the record was set, as well as his physical attributes. This lighthearted interrogation revealed Bearman’s determination to regain the title. He added,
Image of: Oliver Bearman
“I’m going to go back next year at 7[pm],”
signaling his intent to reclaim the record under precise conditions.
Bearman also proposed collaboration, joking,
“We should go together next time, slipstream each other. We can do the record by like 5 tenths,”
adding that if Zevenwacht manages to beat his time again next year, a trip to the Belgian Grand Prix would be a fitting reward.
Bearman recounts the focused pursuit of the Swedish karting lap record
Reflecting on his quest, Bearman described how the opportunity to challenge the record arose spontaneously.
“
I was on vacation in Sweden and there was a kart track very close to where I was staying that week,
”
he explained. His girlfriend’s family encouraged him to beat the existing lap time, but the task proved tougher than expected, as he was initially three or four tenths off.
Bearman praised the track’s design, noting its short length of just 29 seconds per lap demanded extreme precision and attention to detail.
“
The track was really cool. It was a short lap, only 29 seconds, so you had to be super precise and I was trying every trick in the book to do it because the guy was quick.
”
He emphasized the intensity of his effort:
“
It was a serious, serious quest. On the final day we put new tyres and did it properly, dropping the pressures after every run.
”
He dedicated nearly two hours to perfecting his lap, pushing the limits of consistency and skill.
“
I was at it for almost two hours. You had to really put the perfect lap together and move some of the walls a little bit and finally, I managed to beat the lap time by just like half a tenth. 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!
”
Ongoing rivalry hints at exciting challenges ahead for both drivers
The exchange of the karting lap record between Oliver Bearman and Elton Zevenwacht highlights the competitive ambition shared by both drivers beyond their Formula 1 commitments. Their battles on the karting track emphasize their focus on refining skills and pushing limits in every aspect of racing.
As they prepare for the next stages of their seasons, this friendly yet fierce rivalry is expected to motivate each driver to elevate their performance. The prospect of a rematch at the Swedish track next year sets the stage for continued competition and camaraderie, promising thrilling moments for fans following their careers in Formula 1 and beyond.
