Franco Colapinto and Oliver Bearman made significant impacts during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, standing out amidst the fierce competition for the lead and hinting at a bright future for Formula One.

In a thrilling race, Oscar Piastri emerged victorious against Charles Leclerc, while Lando Norris made an impressive comeback from 15th on the grid to finish fourth, keeping his championship hopes alive. The performances from Piastri and Norris propelled McLaren to the top of the constructors’ championship for the first time in a decade. Although the race witnessed a dramatic crash involving Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, it wasn’t just the frontrunners who made headlines.

In their second Grand Prix, both Franco Colapinto from Argentina and Britain’s Oliver Bearman showcased their remarkable talent. Having faced crashes leading up to the race weekend, they exhibited outstanding composure and skill on the challenging streets of Baku. Colapinto finished eighth for Williams, while Bearman secured a tenth-place finish for Haas, accomplishments worthy of commendation.

Colapinto’s performance was particularly noteworthy under the circumstances. Called up by Williams on short notice after the team decided to part ways with underperforming Logan Sargeant, he made his debut in Monza, finishing 12th. Given Sargeant’s difficulties mainly due to frequent crashes, any signs of similar errors from Colapinto understandably raised concerns. After crashing at turn 14 during the opening practice session in Baku—a situation he was intentionally brought in to avoid—he successfully regrouped. He qualified ninth and maintained focus throughout the challenging race, ultimately finishing eighth after the late crash involving Pérez and Sainz.

Colapinto’s achievement marks him as the first Argentine to finish in the top 10 since Carlos Reutemann in 1982. With teammate Alex Albon finishing seventh, Williams celebrated their first double points finish since the US Grand Prix in 2023, allowing them to surpass Alpine in the constructors’ standings. Colapinto described the experience as a dream come true, and it’s evident that Williams shares his sentiment.

Bearman, too, deserves recognition. The 19-year-old has already made an impression by stepping in for Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix earlier this year. This race marked his first outing with Haas, filling in for Kevin Magnussen during a one-race ban. Despite crashing into the barriers during final practice, Bearman put that setback behind him and demonstrated significant maturity throughout the race.

Initially, Bearman was instructed to allow his faster teammate, Nico Hülkenberg, to pass due to concerns about his rear tire degradation. However, once he was clear, he found his rhythm, matched Hülkenberg’s pace, and successfully held off seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton for 23 laps before finishing 10th following the incidents involving Pérez and Sainz.

Bearman has now made history as the only driver to score points in their first two races with two different teams—an impressive feat. More importantly, he showcased his ability to adapt and learn quickly during the race. As a Ferrari academy driver, his ultimate aspiration is to race for Scuderia Ferrari, but it’s clear from his performance in Baku that Haas has secured a valuable asset for the upcoming season.

As for Colapinto’s future, it remains uncertain. With Williams announcing Albon and Sargeant as their drivers for next year, he will not be continuing with the team. However, with seven races left this season to demonstrate his skills, and an open seat at Sauber for 2025, consistent performances could potentially lead to a full-time role in F1.