Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur is aware that eventually the Scuderia will need to plan for life after Lewis Hamilton. Both the French manager and the British driver hope that day is far off, but the challenges of the 2025 Formula 1 season have raised questions about the seven-time world champion’s ability to deliver a championship for the Italian team.
Lewis Hamilton is currently on track to finish within the top six in the drivers’ standings without securing a podium, a rare occurrence in F1. The last driver to achieve such a feat for Ferrari was Felipe Massa in 2011.
The Briton reportedly signed a three-year contract with Ferrari, keeping him at Maranello until the end of the 2027 season. However, recent remarks from Ferrari president John Elkann indicate that even a legendary figure like Lewis Hamilton may not have unlimited time to turn around the team’s title drought.
With the Scuderia seeking solutions, speculation has emerged about potential replacements. While Carlos Sainz could be open to returning to Ferrari, journalists Ben Hunt and Rebecca Clancy suggest that Haas rookie Oliver Bearman could be the team’s long-term target before the 2027 season.
Could Oliver Bearman Be Ferrari’s Next Star?
Speaking on the Inside the Piranha Club Podcast, Ben Hunt highlighted Ollie Bearman’s consistent performances in Haas machinery, describing him as a Ferrari junior talent who has impressed with his speed and results. Hunt emphasized that Ferrari might consider promoting Ollie Bearman earlier than 2027 if he continues to deliver top-level performances.
Rebecca Clancy added that Lewis Hamilton still benefits from Charles Leclerc’s struggles, but Ferrari’s management, including Fred Vasseur, remains under significant pressure. Contracts in Formula 1 offer limited security, and the team, led by Elkann, is actively exploring options to strengthen its driver lineup for the future.
Bearman’s Development and Readiness for Ferrari
The start of the 2025 season showed Bearman struggling for consistency, despite demonstrating pace comparable to teammate Esteban Ocon. Penalty points and incidents, including a clash with Liam Lawson at the Sao Paulo GP, also highlighted his early-season learning curve.
Since the summer break, however, Bearman has shown remarkable improvement, consistently qualifying in the top 10 and regularly scoring points. His fourth-place finish at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico drew praise from Lewis Hamilton, who described the young driver’s performance as “mega.”
The Ferrari Driver Academy member also demonstrated his adaptability by stepping in for Carlos Sainz in Saudi Arabia at short notice, proving he can handle high-pressure situations. These performances suggest that he could be a viable candidate to succeed Lewis Hamilton when the seven-time world champion eventually retires.
Ferrari’s Long-Term Driver Strategy
While the seven-time Formula 1 world champion’s current contract with the Italian side runs through 2027, Ferrari is likely evaluating the next generation of talent to maintain competitiveness. Bringing in a young, talented driver like Ollie Bearman would align with the team’s historical approach of nurturing junior drivers before promoting them into a leading seat.
As the 2025 season continues, the Scuderia faces mounting pressure to deliver results. Whether the young British driver can step into a Ferrari race seat full-time remains uncertain, but his trajectory suggests he has the skill, composure, and potential to become the team’s next star.
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