Ferrari F1 hopeful sent firm instruction over future drive

Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok has issued advice to Ferrari hopeful Oliver Bearman as the Briton targets a future drive at the team.

The 20-year-old has enjoyed a stellar start to his second full season with Haas, sitting fifth in the drivers' standings with 17 of the American team's 18 points through the opening rounds. 

Bearman has comprehensively outperformed teammate Esteban Ocon in both qualifying and race trim, building on an impressive 2025 campaign where he bettered the Frenchman 14-10 in qualifying battles.

Bearman remains part of the Ferrari Driver Academy despite racing for Haas and has outlined his desire to join the Italian squad in the future.

His performances in the early stage of the year have drawn praise from Chandhok.

"Ollie Bearman has done a brilliant job, really picked up from where he left off last season, when he outperformed Esteban Ocon," Chandhok told Sky F1.

"I think Haas has done a good job. They've come out of the blocks [with a bang].

“They are one of the smallest teams in terms of the workforce on the grid, and they've come out with a car that is arguably best of the rest behind the top teams. He's doing a great job.

"Ollie has just got to keep reminding Ferrari that he's there. That's his goal, right? It's to remind Ferrari that when the day comes when Lewis [Hamilton] decides he's had enough or Charles [Leclerc] decides he might want to move on, Ollie is there in pole position to take that seat. 

“And so far, you'd have to say he's done a great job of it."