Ferrari reportedly monitoring Gabriel Bortoleto as potential 2027 Lewis Hamilton replacement
Ferrari’s 2025 Formula 1 season continues to be without a victory, and following their Monza outing—where track-specific upgrades are usually tested—the team’s focus is firmly shifting towards the 2026 car. With Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton looking for a championship-contending car next year, any shortfall could raise questions about Hamilton’s long-term future at Maranello.
Hamilton retains a key clause in his Ferrari contract that could determine whether he continues with the Scuderia into 2027, leaving the team’s leadership, including team principal Fred Vasseur and chairman John Elkann, to consider succession plans. While there are no immediate plans to replace the seven-time world champion, Ferrari is already evaluating potential talent for the post-Hamilton era.
Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto catching Ferrari’s attention
According to a report from Swiss outlet Blick, young Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto has been turning heads with his standout performances during the 2025 rookie campaign. The Brazilian driver has consistently outperformed his experienced teammate Nico Hulkenberg, marking six consecutive qualifying sessions where he advanced further into Q2 or the top-10 shootout, often starting ahead of seasoned drivers including Hamilton, who had been demoted due to a grid penalty at Monza.
These strong results are believed to have caught the eye of Ferrari’s management as they look ahead to 2027, the year when Lewis Hamilton could potentially leave the team. Gabriel Bortoleto’s ability to consistently challenge experienced competitors under pressure highlights his potential as a future Ferrari candidate.
Fernando Alonso praises Bortoleto’s impressive rookie season
Fernando Alonso, who serves as Bortoleto’s mentor and manager, previously discussed the young Brazilian’s breakthrough after he scored his first Formula 1 points at the Austrian Grand Prix. Alonso emphasized that Gabriel Bortoleto had been performing exceptionally well throughout the season, often outshining Nico Hulkenberg despite the veteran occasionally taking the points. He described the milestone as the beginning of what could be a promising career, noting that scoring first F1 points is always a memorable achievement for any driver.
With Ferrari already planning for the future, Gabriel Bortoleto’s rising profile on the grid and impressive Monza showing have positioned him as one of the most closely watched young talents for the 2027 season, making him a potential successor to Lewis Hamilton should the seven-time world champion decide to step away from the Scuderia.
