Ferrari tipped to sign 13-point rising star as future successor to Lewis Hamilton when he retires from Formula 1

Lewis Hamilton’s Time at Ferrari Nearing Crucial Stage Amid Push for Eighth World Title

Lewis Hamilton is still chasing the elusive eighth Formula 1 World Championship, now attempting that feat with Scuderia Ferrari. However, time is no longer on his side. At 40 years of age, the British driver finds himself in a difficult position, as hopes of claiming the 2025 title appear increasingly unrealistic. After twelve Grand Prix weekends—excluding Sprint races—Hamilton has yet to secure a single podium finish for Ferrari. Aside from his Sprint victory in Shanghai, his stint at the Maranello-based team has thus far yielded limited success.

The SF-25 car has proven to be notoriously difficult to manage, with a narrow operating window that has left both Lewis Hamilton and his teammate Charles Leclerc struggling to find consistent performance. Reports have indicated that Hamilton has been grappling with persistent issues related to the car’s power steering system—something that has affected him throughout the entire season. Currently sitting sixth in the Drivers’ Championship standings, his campaign has been hindered by both technical limitations and performance inconsistencies.

Behind the scenes, the Briton has been actively pushing for changes within Ferrari, particularly when it comes to car development philosophy. The seven-time world champion is believed to be leveraging his vast experience in the sport to help guide the Italian team toward a more competitive direction. One of his key priorities has been urging Ferrari to prioritize preparations for the 2026 regulation changes—viewed by many as possibly his final opportunity to contend for a title.

Although Hamilton’s current contract with Ferrari runs through the end of the 2026 season, the Scuderia reportedly holds an option to extend the deal for an additional year. Given his well-documented struggles adapting to ground-effect cars, there is speculation that the upcoming regulation overhaul could offer him a fresh start and perhaps help reignite his championship ambitions. However, uncertainties remain, particularly surrounding Ferrari’s competitiveness under the new rules.

Concerns have surfaced about Ferrari potentially lagging behind rivals Mercedes and Audi when it comes to development of the 2026 power unit. If these fears materialize, Hamilton could be left evaluating whether to continue in Formula 1 beyond his current contract—or step away from the sport altogether.

Oliver Bearman Seen as Hamilton’s Natural Successor at Ferrari

With Lewis Hamilton entering the final chapter of his illustrious career, speculation about his eventual replacement at Ferrari has already begun. One of the leading candidates is rising British talent Oliver Bearman, who has impressed observers since making his Formula 1 debut.

Former Top Gear presenter Tiff Needell recently expressed his support for Ollie Bearman as a future Ferrari driver, suggesting that the 20-year-old has all the ingredients to become a world champion. Speaking on the Lovecars On the Grid podcast, Needell hinted that he was eager to see Hamilton retire so that the Ferrari junior could step into his shoes. He described Ollie Bearman as a “huge talent” and someone capable of achieving greatness in Ferrari red, even suggesting that the young Brit could become the next British World Champion—potentially ahead of more established names like Lando Norris.

Needell acknowledged that Hamilton likely missed his best opportunity to claim an eighth world title, referencing the controversial conclusion of the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi. He speculated that Hamilton might give the 2026 car a final shot before deciding whether to continue in the sport. If he fails to find form under the new regulations, Needell believed Hamilton may choose to walk away—opening the door for Bearman to take his place.

Bearman Continues to Impress as Ferrari Monitors His Progress

Oliver Bearman, currently driving full-time for Haas in 2025, has already given Ferrari strong reasons to keep a close eye on him. The British rookie made headlines in 2024 when he stepped in for Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and finished an impressive seventh on debut—outperforming both Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton.

Since then, Ollie Bearman has made additional substitute appearances for Haas, including races in Baku and São Paulo, before securing a permanent seat. Inside the Ferrari camp, the young driver is reportedly being closely evaluated alongside his more experienced teammate Esteban Ocon. According to pre-season commentary by Sky F1 pundit Anthony Davidson, the comparison between Bearman and Ocon is critical to determining the youngster’s long-term prospects.

While Ocon may currently hold a statistical edge, Bearman is consistently showing strong pace and steady development. With 13 points already to his name in his Formula 1 career, the young Brit is proving that he belongs on the grid—and many in Maranello believe it is only a matter of time before he earns a seat with the Scuderia.

Ollie Bearman has openly stated that he has been learning from Lewis Hamilton, particularly in terms of racecraft, mental preparation, and overall professionalism. As a student of one of the greatest drivers in the sport’s history, Bearman is said to be absorbing everything he can in preparation for a potential future at the top. The Ferrari junior appears well-positioned to be the team’s next homegrown star, should Hamilton decide to step away from Formula 1 in the near future.