Ollie Bearman on catching up to Kimi Antonelli - and Harry Kane's F1 potential

Formula 1 is a sport famous for its great rivalries, but Ollie Bearman has come through its ranks with a friend.

The British driver was team-mates with current championship leader Kimi Antonelli in 2024 before they stepped up to F1.

But the pair are "not really competing against each other," Bearman, 21, tells BBC Newsbeat.

"He generally finishes the race a lap ahead of me."

Both drivers had their rookie seasons last year, with Mercedes' Antonelli finishing seventh overall, six places ahead of the Haas driver.

But Bearman says it only shows what's possible for him in F1.

"I was his team-mate so I know what I'm capable of against him. It proves to me that one day, given the chance, I can do the same."

Haas have never had a driver on the podium since joining the grid in 2016, but Bearman has come close - finishing fourth in Mexico last season.

He describes the chance to do that at this weekend's British Grand Prix as "incredibly special".

"Given the characteristics of Silverstone, it's not something I'm expecting. But we saw last year that anything can happen," he says.

"Standing on the podium there is something that motivates me every day."

On his debut at his home race last season, Bearman finished 11th.

He started from 18th position due to a 10-place grid penalty for a crash during practice.

"I definitely learned a lot from last year and I think the positive takeaway was that I was really fast.

"I'm really thankful to be back and looking forward to the support of the home crowd."

It's been a mixed season for him so far, taking points in the first two races before crashing in Japan.

Bearman was helped from the car by marshals but came away with only bruising on his knee.

Williams driver Carlos Sainz, director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association - a group representing the interests of racers - said they had been warning about a crash like it after new regulations were introduced for the cars this season.

"We were lucky," Sainz told Sky Sports.

Formula 1 bosses made a series of rule changes in the races after that.

"It was a tough moment for me but I learned and matured a lot from it," says Bearman, admitting it was hard for his family watching from home.

"I think it was a bit more tough for them than it is for me. I can only imagine what it is like to sit on the other side and support."

After driving in one of this weekend's big sporting events, he's hoping to watch another.

"I've been following the World Cup very closely but haven't been able to watch the games so far because of the timings," says Bearman.

"England played during the Austrian Grand Prix but kick-off was at 11pm so I was asleep."

Bearman met some of the squad at the race in Barcelona last year when they had a training camp nearby.

So who out of the Three Lions would make it as an F1 driver?

"I'm a big fan of Harry Kane. He's been performing at a very high level for a long time," says Bearman.

"I'm not sure how he stacks up against the tallest F1 drivers but it's tight if you're tall."

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