Oliver Bearman’s driving instructor reveals exactly how the Brit F1 sensation FAILED his driving test
TEEN F1 star Oliver Bearman flunked his first driving test by messing up at lights.
The 18-year-old pipped idol Lewis Hamilton in a stunning debut race in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
But despite joining Ferrari’s academy at 16, he needed a second test attempt before being allowed on UK roads.
Oliver is said to have failed over “response to traffic lights”, which probably means he pulled away too quickly.
He enlisted the help of David Currey for a two-hour lesson before passing in October 2022.
David, 52, who lives near Chelmsford, Essex, said: “He got in touch over Instagram because I live in his family’s village.
I could see from his pictures that he was an F3 driver at the time.
“We did the lesson in his BMW. I felt totally safe even though I didn’t have my foot controls.
“He had failed his test before on a traffic-light fault. I am not sure if it was for running an amber. Maybe he didn’t stop.
“Or it could have been how he was positioned at the lights. When he failed he was a bit like, ‘What the hell’.
“I mean, he has been driving since a kid. But he was so polite and just wanted to learn how to pass.
“He asked a lot of questions and seemed very down-to-earth, a great lad.
“When he sent me a text saying he had passed with no minors I wrote, ‘Well done lad!’.”
David, an instructor for 12 years and who charges £37 an hour, added: “Oliver sent me a picture of him and his pass certificate. I only have two or three students a year that pass with no faults.
“His dad and family deserve all the credit. His road test was only a small part but I’m proud I helped him pass it.”
Oliver’s F1 chance at Jeddah came when he was drafted in for Spaniard Carlos Sainz.
He finished seventh, with seven-time champion Lewis ninth.
Asked what he would say to Oliver after his recent success, David said: “I would say, keep going to absolute legend. But if I see him back home then I don’t want to do any racing with him.
“I don’t want a burn out at the red lights in the village.”