The invention relates to a bearing element (1, 1.1, 1.2) having at least one primary sliding surface (4) for supporting at least one secondary sliding surface (5) of an element (2) and having at least one primary bearing surface (6) for its own mounting on a secondary bearing surface (7) of a bearing (8), at least two lubrication pockets (9.1, 9.2) being arranged in the region of the sliding surfaces (4, 5) and at least two bearing pockets (10.1, 10.2) being arranged in the region of the bearing surfaces (6, 7), to which at least one fluid (11) can be applied via channels (K9.1, K9.2, K10.1, K10.2) during operation, in such a way that in each case a hydrostatic gap (12.1, 12.2) can be formed between the sliding surfaces (4, 5) and between the bearing surfaces (6, 7). The invention is defined in that the respective lubrication pocket (9.1, 9.2) of the preferably primary sliding surface (4) is connected by means of at least one respective fluid connecting line (K10.1, K10.2) to the bearing pocket (10.1, 10.2), arranged in or counter to the direction of action (W4), of the preferably primary bearing surface (6), and in that the bearing pockets (10.1, 10.2) of the preferably primary bearing surface (6) are connected via the preferably secondary bearing surface (7), in each case by means of at least one fluid feed line (K9.1, K9.2), to a fluid pressure source (13, 13.1, 13.2) which can preferably be regulated/controlled.