Lewis Hamilton has officially joined Ferrari as a Formula 1 driver, marking the beginning of his contract with the Scuderia in 2025. This follows his departure from Mercedes, concluding a long and successful chapter at Brackley. While Lewis Hamilton’s future at Ferrari is now confirmed, the duration of his stay alongside Charles Leclerc remains uncertain. Hamilton has begun his new journey with Ferrari, donning the team’s red colors, yet the driver market continues to evolve, with contenders already positioning themselves to challenge for one of the Scuderia’s coveted seats.
On paper, Ferrari’s driver lineup is set at least through the 2026 season, with Lewis Hamilton joining the team on an initial two-year agreement that includes the option for a third. He signed the contract in February 2024, shortly after Ferrari committed to the Monegasque driver, securing his position through the 2029 season.
Despite the apparent stability, the dynamic nature of the Formula 1 driver market leaves room for uncertainty. According to the Italian daily newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, a shift could occur sooner rather than later, with a new driver likely to join Ferrari. This scenario casts doubt on the long-term futures of both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, especially considering the presence of exit clauses in Charles Leclerc’s contract.
One such driver is Oliver Bearman, a promising talent set to transition from Formula 2 to Formula 1 with Haas in 2025. Ollie Bearman, a product of Ferrari’s Driver Academy, won’t technically be a rookie in 2025, having already participated in three Grand Prix events during the 2024 season. His performances in these outings, including an unexpected appearance for Ferrari at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to Carlos Sainz’s emergency surgery, have been impressive. He also filled in for Kevin Magnussen at the Azerbaijan and Sao Paulo Grand Prix for Haas, further showcasing his capabilities.
If Oliver Bearman can maintain his upward trajectory and prove himself as a rising star in Formula 1, it’s expected that it’s only a matter of time before he graduates to Ferrari, following a path similar to Charles Leclerc, who made his own leap from Sauber to Ferrari after his debut in 2018.
Oliver Bearman’s relatively modest salary for 2025, reported to be just £300,000, makes him one of the least-paid drivers on the grid. This stands in stark contrast to Ferrari’s significant wage bill, with Hamilton and Leclerc commanding base salaries of £39 million and £25 million, respectively. If financial considerations become a driving factor for Ferrari, promoting the Brit could save the team a substantial amount, but it might also necessitate the departure of either Lewis Hamilton or Charle sLeclerc.
In such a scenario, Ferrari could also profit from Leclerc’s potential exit. When he signed his new deal in January 2024, reports indicated that one of the clauses in his contract allows him to terminate the agreement in 2026, should the team’s performance not meet his expectations. However, this option comes with a hefty price tag of £47 million.
The most likely route for the Haas F1 driver promotion would be if Ferrari and/or Lewis Hamilton decide not to extend the contract beyond 2026 or opt not to renegotiate terms for the 2027 season. For this to happen, the Ferrari junior must prove his worth in Formula 1, showcasing his potential with Haas before securing a place with the Scuderia.
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