The 2026 Formula 1 season has put the spotlight back on the Hamilton-Ferrari partnership, which had already drawn attention starting in 2025. However, last season saw high expectations fall short, leaving fans eager to see more from the Scuderia.
Plenty of talent at Ferrari
In the opening two races of 2026, Ollie Bearman has shown impressive performance. The Haas driver currently sits fifth in the Drivers’ Championship with 17 points and kept Max Verstappen behind him in China until the Red Bull driver was forced to retire. Despite this strong showing, considering the consistent performance of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, it’s difficult to imagine space opening for Bearman at Ferrari anytime soon. Additionally, the current driver market, with McLaren, Red Bull, and Aston Martin performing strongly, gives Leclerc little incentive to leave a Ferrari that has finally regained competitiveness.
Bearman’s future and the Hamilton factor
During the podcast ‘Up to Speed,’ Will Buxton and David Coulthard discussed Ollie Bearman’s potential future at Ferrari. They agreed that it’s not a question of ‘if’ Bearman will drive for the team, but ‘when.’ David Coulthard explained, “It’s one of the pressures Ferrari has to manage with Hamilton because, eventually, I presume it will be Hamilton who steps aside. When a rising star like Bearman comes along, you have to ride the wave and not miss the opportunity to test him. It’s completely different to push beyond your limits at Haas, where there’s no pressure, versus being half a tenth behind your teammate at Ferrari. That’s when everything changes, and you need to prove you’re ready to handle the spotlight and the real pressure of being a top-team F1 driver.”
However, if Lewis Hamilton continues his current strong form, it’s hard to imagine him stepping back to make way for Bearman anytime soon. For now, the young British driver will have to wait while he prepares for the moment when the opportunity finally comes.
The 2026 F1 season has therefore placed Ferrari in an enviable but difficult position. While Ollie Bearman is proving he belongs at the front of the grid, the sheer stability and speed of the Hamilton-Leclerc pairing suggest that the “Bearman era” at Maranello may have to wait a little longer. Based on the content of the latest paddock rumors, the young Britain will likely spend the rest of the year cementing his status as the sport’s most sought-after prospect while Ferrari monitors Lewis’s long-term intentions.
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