Lewis Hamilton Ferrari future has taken a surprising turn as speculation grows about a potential replacement for the legendary driver at Scuderia Ferrari. The celebrated partnership between Hamilton and Ferrari, hailed as a historic move just a year ago, now faces increasing uncertainty, with rising talent Oliver Bearman entering the spotlight.
An Ambitious Alliance Faces Uncertainty
When Scuderia Ferrari secured Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes, Formula 1 was stunned by what many described as the sport’s most audacious driver acquisition. The announcement, made a year ahead of Hamilton donning the iconic red suit, spurred wild hopes. Tifosi and racing enthusiasts pictured a dream team set to dominate the grid, blending Hamilton’s seven world titles with Ferrari’s storied legacy.
On his first official day with Ferrari, Hamilton posed in front of Enzo Ferrari’s house at Maranello, an image rich in symbolism and optimism. Fans believed this signaled an era destined for glory, as the British champion joined the team boasting 16 constructors’ titles. His arrival was marked by a sense of near-mythical expectation, setting imaginations alight across the paddock and beyond.
However, the 2024 Formula 1 season has not matched these lofty ambitions. The momentum of Hamilton’s much-anticipated transfer has faltered; frustration has grown as results have lagged behind expectations, and the once-promised fairytale partnership is now facing tough scrutiny.
Oliver Bearman Emerges as a Contender
With mounting doubts over Hamilton’s tenure, the conversation around his future has shifted, particularly after comments from former Haas Formula 1 team boss Guenther Steiner. Steiner publicly named Oliver Bearman, Ferrari’s most prized academy graduate, as the natural successor to Hamilton in 2027.
Today we begin a new chapter in the history of this iconic team, and I can’t wait to see what story we will write together,
— Lewis Hamilton, Driver
This quote, originally shared with a photo of Hamilton on his inaugural day at Maranello, marked the high point of fan anticipation. But Steiner’s more recent remarks hint at a coming shift.
I mean this year starting off being fast but making mistakes, but second half of the season he got rid of them, and it’s just like a switch.
— Guenther Steiner, Former Haas F1 Team Principal
He further analyzed Bearman’s development:
In the first half of the season, I thought he’s taking too much risk with the car he had, and therefore he had a few offs, and it wasn’t good, got a lot of penalty points. He still kept on collecting them in the second half of the season, but he didn’t make mistakes anymore, even in the race, fighting hard.
— Guenther Steiner, Former Haas F1 Team Principal
Bearman’s breakthrough was highlighted by a fourth-place finish in Mexico, signaling steady improvement and an ability to adapt under pressure. These performances have crystallized the perception that Bearman is the leading internal candidate to inherit Ferrari’s lead role if Hamilton’s results stagnate further.
The Road Ahead for Hamilton and Ferrari
The partnership between Lewis Hamilton and Scuderia Ferrari, once envisioned as destiny realized, is turning into a demanding test for both. Hamilton’s ongoing quest to deliver for the Italian team, coupled with increasing whispers of transition, keeps the Formula 1 world on edge. If challenges persist and the results fail to meet the scale of the initial promise, Ferrari may well turn to fresh talent like Bearman to lead their next era.
With the Formula 1 landscape rapidly evolving, the next two seasons will determine whether Hamilton cements a lasting legacy in Ferrari red or if the team pivots to a new hope in Oliver Bearman. The outcome could shape both Ferrari’s and Hamilton’s place in racing history, while offering Bearman a chance to step into the limelight at one of motorsport’s most illustrious teams.
Ex-F1 team boss names 'obvious candidate' to replace Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari in 2027:
— Former Haas Formula 1 boss Guenther Steiner believes Oliver Bearman is the "obvious candidate" to replace Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari in 2027. Speaking to media, Steiner remarked:
“I mean… pic.twitter.com/JE5g4VOx8n
— This is Formula 1 (@ThisIsFormu1a1) December 31, 2025
