Haas Formula 1 driver Ollie Bearman recently shared an engaging story about his determination to break a kart track’s lap record during his holiday in Sweden. As the Belgian Grand Prix approaches, Bearman recounted this personal challenge with enthusiasm, illustrating his competitive spirit and love for racing.
During a vacation near Gothenburg, Bearman discovered a nearby karting track named Varbergs Gokart, where he was encouraged by his girlfriend’s family to attempt breaking the existing lap record. Initially dismissive of the challenge, he quickly found himself just a few tenths of a second off the record. This spurred him to dedicate more time to achieving the feat, returning to the track three times over several days.
Despite inclement weather preventing optimal conditions on his second day, Bearman committed himself fully during his final attempt, spending around two hours fine-tuning his approach. He described the meticulous effort involved—from adjusting tire pressures to cooling down the engine with a leaf blower—and even removing some bodywork to maintain performance in the sweltering heat. Such dedication paid off, as he managed to break the record by half a tenth of a second.
Bearman reflected humorously on the previous record-holder’s prowess, speculating that different weather conditions may have played a significant role in his success. Notably, he connected this experience back to his roots in karting, reinforcing the importance of enjoying the sport that sparked his journey into Formula 1.
This invigorating experience allowed Bearman to unwind from recent pressures experienced in higher-level racing. After facing a 10-place grid penalty at Silverstone and an unfortunate collision with teammate Esteban Ocon, this break served as a refreshing palette-cleanser, reaffirming his passion for racing.
Overall, Bearman’s karting adventure illustrates the spirit of competition that exists at all levels of motorsport and reminds fans that even elite drivers remain deeply connected to their roots and the fundamental joy of racing. As he prepares to return to the circuit in Spa, there is reason to be optimistic about Bearman’s performance in the upcoming event, driven by this newly rekindled enthusiasm for racing.