Oliver Bearman shared details of his memorable Nürburgring experience after Max Verstappen earned his Permit A licence between the Italian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix. The young British driver participated in two laps of the famed Nordschleife circuit with his family, offering insight into an intense and unforgettable ride that his mother found overwhelming.
Firsthand Account of a Nürburgring Family Lap
At just 15 years old, Oliver Bearman accompanied his parents in their Audi Q7 for laps at the Nürburgring. His father drove while Bearman, acting as co-driver, guided him through the track’s notorious corners. The family originally purchased three laps, but only completed two due to the intense nature of the drives and practical needs for the car the following day.
Bearman explained,
“Audi Q7. I was like 15, so I couldn’t drive. Basically, I was the co-driver. You can buy one or three. We bought three laps. We did one with my mum in the back, and I had to go in the front to tell my dad what corner was coming next because I knew the track and he didn’t. I was like, ‘This one’s flat, this one’s a lift’ or whatever. With this Audi Q7, big SUV.”
He recalled how the first lap affected his mother profoundly:
“Then after that, my mum got out because she was screaming the entire lap. On lap two, we went again and went a little bit quicker. At the end of the lap, we stopped, and the brake fluid was coming out of the calipers. That wasn’t great. We decided not to do the final lap because we needed that car for the school run the next day.”
Bearman’s Reflections on Verstappen and Passion for Racing
Speaking ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Bearman praised Max Verstappen’s talents and ambitions, expressing hope for his own future in racing. He said,
“I hope I’m at the stage one day in my career where I can do like Max and just drive whatever he wants and do it for pure passion,”
and added,
“Of course, I’m not at that stage yet, but it’s so impressive to see what he’s able to do and shows how talented he is as a driver. It’s insane.”
Bearman also shared his admiration for Verstappen’s ability to tackle the challenging Nürburgring track:
“I think he’s the best driver that we’ve ever seen, probably. The fact he’s able to rock up to the Nordschleife, I didn’t follow it, honestly, properly, but I saw some articles and stuff. It’s so cool.”
He summed up the sentiment shared by enthusiasts with,
“For a group of us guys who are all just passionate about racing cars, that’s so cool to see.”
Context Behind Verstappen’s Permit A Licence and Future Plans
Verstappen recently secured his Permit A licence by competing in the ADAC ACAS Cup, driving a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS in the four-hour race. This licence allows participation in GT3 and GT4 racing classes and positions Verstappen to potentially join the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours.
Helmut Marko confirmed the arrangements to ORF in Baku, stating,
“From our side, it’s confirmed. And I believe from his side as well,”
though this remains to be officially announced.
Significance of the Nürburgring Experience for Bearman and Fans
Oliver Bearman’s Nürburgring laps highlight the intense and demanding nature of the circuit, even for experienced drivers and their families undertaking the ride in a standard SUV. His mother’s reaction underscores how daunting the track can be for passengers, not just drivers.
For Bearman, the experience symbolizes the gap he aims to bridge in his career to reach the level of drivers like Verstappen, who are able to race purely out of passion and skill. This aligns with his ambitions on the racing scene, reflecting a path many young drivers aspire to follow.
Meanwhile, Verstappen’s licensing and plans for endurance racing suggest a crossover between Formula 1 talent and GT endurance events, potentially adding a new chapter to his career while emphasizing the Nürburgring’s status as a prestigious and challenging motorsport venue.
