Ferrari are enduring one of the longest championship droughts in their Formula 1 history, with the Scuderia yet to secure a drivers’ title since Kimi Raikkonen’s triumph in 2007. Despite the hype surrounding the current line-up, former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has expressed serious doubts over whether Ferrari’s star drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, will be able to deliver a championship in the coming seasons.
The last time Ferrari fans celebrated a notable title achievement was in 2008, when Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen helped the team secure a consecutive constructors’ championship. Since then, the Tifosi have waited patiently, but frustrations have mounted, especially after Lewis Hamilton struggled with consistency and pace throughout the 2025 season. According to reports, if the 40-year-old fails to mount a credible title challenge soon, he risks losing significant support from the passionate Italian fanbase.
However, in his latest analysis on the Red Flags podcast, Guenther Steiner was candid in his assessment of Ferrari’s current title contenders. Guenther Steiner suggested that neither Lewis Hamilton nor Charles Leclerc are likely to break the team’s championship drought in the foreseeable future. Instead, he pointed to young British sensation Oliver Bearman as the driver most likely to become Ferrari’s next Formula 1 champion.
Oliver Bearman tipped as Ferrari’s future champion
Guenther Steiner evaluated all 21 drivers who competed in the 2025 Formula 1 season and assigned grades to highlight their performance and potential. Lewis Hamilton received a B grade, reflecting his experience but also noting the challenges posed by age and adaptation to the evolving F1 car regulations. Charles Leclerc earned an A, recognizing his skill and consistency, but Steiner was clear that even the Monegasque superstar may not secure a title in Ferrari’s famous red car under current conditions.
Steiner emphasized that Oliver Bearman is the standout candidate for Ferrari’s next championship, dismissing speculation about Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc leading the team back to title glory. He explained that while Bearman is still relatively unproven, with only a single full-time season in Formula 1, his talent, adaptability, and work ethic set him apart from the current roster. Ferrari reportedly have their eyes on the Ferrari junior, but a permanent seat in Maranello will depend on the young driver maintaining top form in the upcoming seasons, particularly as new technical regulations come into play for 2026.
Steiner’s assessment of Oliver Bearman’s rookie season
When evaluating Oliver Bearman’s performance during his first full F1 season, Guenther Steiner awarded the 20-year-old a B+ grade. Guenther Steiner suggested that this grade reflects strong progress while leaving room for growth, noting that giving Bearman an A too early could lead to overconfidence. The veteran team principal placed Ollie Bearman as the third-best rookie of the 2025 season, behind Isack Hadjar and Kimi Antonelli, highlighting the competitive nature of the emerging talent pool.
Steiner praised Ollie Bearman’s racing intelligence, composure under pressure, and rapid learning curve. He predicted that every top Formula 1 team would be monitoring the young Briton closely, with several likely to compete for his signature ahead of the 2027 season. According to the former Haas team boss, Ollie Bearman’s potential to thrive in Ferrari’s environment is considerable, provided he continues to adapt to new technical challenges and maintains consistency on track.
Ferrari’s championship prospects and the path forward
While Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc remain high-profile figures within the Scuderia, Steiner’s comments underscore a shift towards investing in the next generation of talent. Ferrari faces pressure not only from its main rivals, McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes, but also from an F1 grid that is becoming increasingly competitive under new regulations. Guenther Steiner believes that Oliver Bearman’s combination of raw speed, strategic thinking, and composure under pressure make him uniquely positioned to break Ferrari’s title drought, potentially becoming the team’s next world champion.
For now, the young driver’s future with Ferrari is not guaranteed, but Guenther Steiner’s prediction places him firmly in the spotlight. The 2026 season, with its updated technical rules, will test all drivers’ adaptability, and Oliver Bearman’s ability to thrive under these conditions could define not just his career but also the future of the Prancing Horse in Formula 1.
As the F1 world watches closely, Guenther Steiner’s bold assessment highlights the growing importance of nurturing emerging talent like Oliver Bearman while recognizing the limitations of even experienced stars like Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in securing Ferrari’s next drivers’ championship.
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