The new year has begun, and in the month of January, we continue our now classic column “Start Number,” this time featuring Oliver Bearman’s unique choice of number 87, with the approval of Papa Bearman.
Oliver Bearman has only – or already – driven a handful of races in Formula 1 and has worn out two start numbers. A third one will be added in 2025: start number 87. The young Englishman explained the emotional reason behind this choice in July of the past year. At that time, Bearman had just been confirmed as a driver for Haas in the upcoming season. No longer a substitute, he is now a permanent driver. And that means Bearman gets to choose his own start number.
Many people assumed that Bearman would choose 38 as his racing number. After all, this was the number the then-eighteen-year-old used when he made his Formula 1 debut in a Ferrari in early 2024. He had a dream debut as a replacement for Carlos Sainz Jr (who was out due to appendicitis) in Jeddah, immediately scoring points. If that doesn’t create an attachment to a starting number, what does? Alternatively, there was always number 50, which he used when he made his appearance at Haas later in the year, replacing the suspended Kevin Magnussen in Brazil.
However, neither 38 nor 50 were chosen by Bearman. Instead, he opted for starting number 87. “That’s the number,” he said. “Choosing a number is perhaps the least important thing when you find out you’re going to race in Formula 1. But for me, 87 is a number with a story, which is why I chose it. I was born on the eighth (of May). And my younger brother was born on the seventh (of August). On top of that, my father also used to race. You guessed it: with number 87. So, for us, the circle is complete.”
