Lewis Hamilton Shocked as Ollie Bearman Reveals Spider Forced Malaysia Hotel Room Change

Ollie Bearman Recounts Middle-of-the-Night Arachnid Scare

Formula 1 drivers are renowned for their elite physical fitness and fearlessness when piloting machinery at 200 mph, but Haas driver Ollie Bearman proved that even top-tier racing talents share common human phobias. Speaking during a fan event at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, the young British driver—widely tipped for a future seat at Ferrari—shared a chilling encounter with an eight-legged intruder that forced him to change hotels in the middle of the night.

Standing on stage alongside his Haas teammate Esteban Ocon as well as Scuderia Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, Bearman detailed how his sleep was abruptly disturbed in the early hours of the morning.

I got woken up at 2am with a spider next to my head, Bearman recounted as his peers gasped in response. I swear! I swear! I texted my travel team. I was like, ‘Guys, I’m moving. I’m not staying here.’

Palm-Sized Intruder Leaves Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton Stunned

Prompted to share more specifics about the encounter, Bearman explained that he could physically hear the creature approaching his bedside before opening his eyes to witness it up close.

I heard him, kind of walking up to me. I open my eyes, and he was right there, Bearman said.

No way! Leclerc exclaimed in disbelief.

When asked to describe the scale of the arachnid, Bearman gestured with his hands to illustrate its magnitude. It was like the size of my palm! he insisted. Yes! I swear! I swear! And then I hit him away, I put the torch on, and I couldn’t find him. So when I moved to my new hotel, I haven’t opened my suitcase yet because I’m scared he’s in there.

The ordeal came as a complete shock to Hamilton, who has frequented the country for nearly two decades without encountering such wildlife. I would have been sleeping in the car! Hamilton laughed. I didn’t even realise that Malaysia had spiders!

The veteran driver added: Oh my god, that changes everything. What?! I’ve been coming for 20 years, I didn’t know that.

The Likely Culprit: The Fast-Moving Huntsman

Based on Bearman’s account of a large, palm-sized arachnid roaming across surfaces, the intruder was likely a huntsman spider. While huntsman spiders are common in buildings and hotels across Malaysia and are harmless to humans—using their mild venom strictly to immobilize tiny insect prey—their behavior often triggers intense fear. Unlike web-spinning species, huntsmen actively hunt by running at rapid speeds across walls, ceilings, and floors.

Why This Matters

Formula 1’s gruelling global schedule exposes drivers, mechanics, and personnel to drastically varying environmental conditions, long-haul travel disruptions, and unfamiliar local wildlife across different continents. Bearman’s lighthearted yet unsettling experience offers fans a candid glimpse into the off-track realities of life on the international racing circuit, showing that peak-performance athletes are just as susceptible to everyday travel nightmares as anyone else.

Frequently Asked Questions

What spider did Ollie Bearman likely encounter?

Bearman’s description points to a huntsman spider, a common species in Southeast Asian dwellings known for its palm-sized leg span and rapid crawling speed rather than web building.

Are huntsman spiders dangerous to humans?

No. While huntsman spiders use venom to subdue small insects, they are essentially harmless to humans and rarely bite unless provoked.

How did Lewis Hamilton react to Bearman’s story?

Hamilton admitted that despite traveling to Malaysia for roughly 20 years, he was unaware that large spiders were common there, jokingly stating that he would have opted to sleep inside a car instead.