Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari future is under scrutiny after a lackluster debut season with the iconic racing team, raising questions about potential successors like Oliver Bearman. As the Scuderia grapples with performance issues and internal unrest, talent such as Bearman, who currently races for Haas F1, is being considered, but the allure of Ferrari is no longer guaranteed.
Bearman’s Progress at Haas and Ferrari’s Search for a New Star
Oliver Bearman’s name has emerged as a potential replacement for Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, following notable performances in his rookie season with Haas F1. Although Bearman experienced some inconsistencies during his debut year, his raw speed stood out, helping him finish ahead of his more experienced teammate Esteban Ocon in the championship standings.
The 20-year-old British driver’s highlight was an impressive fourth-place finish at the Mexican Grand Prix, marking Haas’ joint-best race result. These achievements have led to growing speculation that Bearman, a past and current member of the Ferrari driver academy, may be a prime candidate to step in if Hamilton departs. His relationship with Ferrari stretches back several years, making him a logical choice should the Scuderia opt for a change.
Hamilton, who joined Ferrari after a historic stint with Mercedes, struggled in his first season with the Italian team. The seven-time world champion failed to appear on the podium, ultimately securing only sixth place in the drivers’ championship, while Ferrari finished fourth in the constructors’ standings. With his contract set to expire at the end of 2026, and another disappointing season potentially ahead, there is speculation Ferrari may favor a cost-effective, up-and-coming driver like Bearman rather than extend Hamilton’s deal.
Bearman’s Candid Reflections on Team Culture and Career Progress
Amid rumors about his possible Ferrari move, Bearman has spoken about his ties to the team and his current satisfaction with Haas F1. In a recent interview, he highlighted the unique benefits of racing with a smaller team, emphasizing the lack of internal politics and the ability to directly influence team developments. He noted:
“Yeah, I made my debut with Ferrari, so I’ve always had that connection with them being with the academy and I’m still with the academy,”
Bearman told Sky Sports F1.
“We still have a very close relationship so it’s the obvious target at one stage.”
– Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 driver
Yet, Bearman made clear his intentions to build on the foundations at Haas:
“But I feel like I’m just getting started with Haas and I really feel like we can do some great things here. We have many benefits and pros of being a small team and one of them is that there’s no politics and there’s no issues to change things and that means when coming into the team as a rookie, I’m really able to build a team around me as well.”
– Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 driver
Bearman’s comments reveal a reluctance to prematurely leave a positive working environment at Haas, where he feels involved and influential. Despite acknowledging Ferrari as a future target, he is in no hurry to trade this for the challenges of a high-pressure, high-profile outfit.
Ferrari’s Internal Struggles and Impact on Driver Appeal
This hesitancy coincides with turbulent times at Ferrari. Throughout the 2025 season, Ferrari’s performance failed to meet expectations, with no victories and more noise surrounding off-track issues than successes on it. Tensions, such as reported friction between Hamilton and his race engineer Riccardo Adami, doubts about team principal Fred Vasseur’s future, and pointed remarks from chairman John Elkann about needing less talk from drivers Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, have contributed to an atmosphere of unrest in Maranello.
The working environment at Ferrari, marked by political maneuvering and media scrutiny, raises questions for any prospective driver, especially after a year where the team finished in the midfield. Attracting elite talent such as Hamilton and Leclerc has long been a Ferrari strength, but the current mood may prove challenging for recruitment if senior figures like Leclerc become frustrated by the lack of championship contention in their prime years.
Former Ferrari racer Jean Alesi has openly expressed concern for the team’s direction, pointing to the legacy and expectations that come with being the most storied outfit in Formula One history.
Future Directions and Ferrari’s Attractiveness to Top Drivers
The prospect of both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc growing disillusioned poses a significant risk for Ferrari, with the possibility that both seats may be up for grabs sooner than expected. As the organization looks to regroup and regain its place at the front of the field, there is growing uncertainty over whether the team can still lure and keep elite talent.
The organization will need to address not only their technical and strategic deficits but also the internal culture that has come under scrutiny. For emerging stars like Bearman, the decision to join Ferrari is complicated by these broader issues, meaning the team’s next moves will be crucial in shaping its future appeal.
As Ferrari enters a pivotal period with Hamilton’s future in doubt and potential successors weighing their options, the stakes remain high for the legendary team to prove it is still the place where world champions are made.
