Whispers in the paddock suggest that Ferrari may already be preparing for life after Lewis Hamilton, as the team is said to have identified a clear successor to the seven-time world champion. While Hamilton’s arrival in Maranello was one of the biggest stories in Formula 1 history, the topic of his long-term future with the Scuderia is becoming increasingly uncertain. With his 41st birthday approaching and his performances under greater scrutiny, Ferrari appears to be planning for a generational shift behind the wheel.
The Hamilton-Ferrari partnership was never expected to last a decade. It was a high-profile union built on ambition, symbolism and the pursuit of one last shot at championship glory. Yet inside the team, there is a growing sense that the transition to a new era may be closer than expected. Although Hamilton’s contract reportedly runs until 2026, with fresh talent emerging within the Ferrari system and growing impatience within Maranello, the question is not only how long he will stay, but also who will take his place when he leaves.
According to several seasoned observers, Ferrari’s long-term planning has quietly been set in motion. The team is believed to already have its future star embedded within its driver development ranks, where he is learning, adapting, and preparing for his moment in the spotlight. And, if recent performances are anything to go by, that moment may be closer than anyone first thought.
Ferrari’s Next Chapter: Bearman as Hamilton’s Future Successor
Martin Brundle recent comments appear to confirm what has been whispered; the veteran Sky Sports commentator and former F1 driver believes that the question is no longer whether Oliver Bearman will race for Ferrari, but when. Further, Brundle has long been an advocate for the 20-year-old, whose recent performances have reignited discussion about the Scuderia’s future line-up, especially amid speculation about Lewis Hamilton’s long-term plans with the team.
The growing talk surrounding Bearman follows his remarkable fourth-place finish at the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix, which Brundle described as “absolutely outstanding”. This not only impressed fans and pundits, but also strengthened the young Briton’s case for a full-time seat at Ferrari in the near future.
Brundle’s view: A Matter of Time
Speaking on Sky’s Formula 1 podcast, Brundle made it clear that, in his opinion, Bearman’s promotion to Ferrari is inevitable.
“As soon as a seat becomes available at Ferrari for any reason, Bearman should take it,” he said. “He’s excellent, he learns quickly, and he makes the most of every opportunity.”
Brundle referenced Bearman’s impressive performances since his debut, such as his unexpected appearance at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Called upon to drive for Ferrari at short notice after Carlos Sainz underwent an emergency appendectomy, Bearman finished seventh in Jeddah, an impressive result for someone who had only just turned 18.
This earned him two more Formula 1 race weekends with Haas, Ferrari’s customer team, later that year, where he replaced Kevin Magnussen. It was clear from these early performances that Ferrari had discovered a major talent, capable of performing well under immense pressure.
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Bearman: A Star on the Rise
Now a full-time Haas Ferrari driver, Bearman continues to make steady progress in his rookie season. His ability to adapt quickly to Formula 1 machinery has impressed not just Brundle, but also Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur. After Bearman’s performance in Mexico, Vasseur said: “He did a fantastic job. He brought everything together this weekend, with zero mistakes, and that’s paying off now.”
Ferrari’s close relationship with Haas has always offered young drivers a valuable development pathway. The team has used Haas as a proving ground for talent that could one day progress to Maranello. Brundle and others believe that Bearman’s current trajectory suggests that this step will happen sooner rather than later.
For now, however, Bearman’s future remains tied to Haas until at least 2026, with his participation in next season already confirmed. However, with Ferrari’s long-term driver situation still uncertain, this opportunity could arise sooner than expected.
Hamilton’s future under the microscope
One reason for this uncertainty is the ongoing speculation surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s contract. Reports have emerged suggesting that 2026 could be his final season with Ferrari. According to ESPN, ‘several high-ranking figures from the paddock’ believe that Ferrari may choose not to renew Hamilton’s contract, citing concerns about his recent performances.
However, Hamilton has maintained that he is focused on the team’s 2026 campaign, when new regulations will take effect.
Those close to the seven-time world champion claim that he views Ferrari’s long-term project as an opportunity to compete for victories once more. His recent form has also improved, suggesting that talk of an imminent departure might be premature.
The exact length of Hamilton’s contract remains unclear. While Ferrari described it as a multi-year deal when he signed in 2024, the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reported that the agreement runs until 2026, with an option to extend to 2027. Nevertheless, even the most optimistic projections acknowledge that Hamilton, who will turn 41 before the 2026 season, will eventually hand over the reins.
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Villeneuve backs Bearman’s composure
Bearman’s maturity and composure under pressure have drawn praise from another former world champion, Jacques Villeneuve. Speaking on the same Sky Sports F1 podcast, Villeneuve said: “It’s very promising. He was impressive in Mexico because he had the whole package. He was fast and didn’t let the pressure affect him.”
Villeneuve also highlighted Bearman’s aggressive yet controlled driving style, saying: “He’s very aggressive, but he always has everything under control.”
The 1997 world champion described Bearman as the type of driver who elevates his performance in high-pressure situations.
While Bearman’s junior career wasn’t filled with continuous championship titles, it showed steady progression. After winning two Formula 4 titles in 2021, he finished third in Formula 3 the following year and 12th in Formula 2 in 2023, a season which was disrupted by his Formula 1 commitments with Ferrari and Haas.
The Next Ferrari Star in the Making
In his first full season in Formula 1, Bearman is currently sitting in 13th place in the drivers’ standings with 32 points, just ahead of his more experienced Haas teammate Esteban Ocon, who has 30 points. This achievement highlights just how quickly Bearman has adapted to the demands of the top tier.
His rise mirrors that of several successful Ferrari protégés before him, such as Charles Leclerc, who also progressed from a customer team to the works squad. With Vasseur already expressing confidence in Bearman’s abilities, and given Ferrari’s historical tendency to promote from within, a future for Bearman in red is looking increasingly likely.
If Hamilton leaves Ferrari after 2026, Bearman is the obvious choice to replace him. By then, he will have gained valuable experience, developed further under Ferrari’s guidance, and proven his ability to consistently score points in Formula 1.
Brundle summed up the sentiment shared by many in the paddock: “If you give this young man a chance, he will take it.”
MORE F1 NEWS – Toto Wolff admits to remaining bitter over 2021 result, although the facts suggest Masi got it right
Toto Wolff has now admitted that not even christian Horner who was his fiercest adversary has him as riled as former race director Michael Massa who he claims decided the 2021 F1 drivers’ title race against his driver Lewis Hamilton
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has reignited his feud with former Formula 1 race director Michael Masi, describing him as a “lunatic” nearly four years after the infamous 2021 title decider. The Austrian also accused the ex-FIA official of having “destroyed the record of the greatest champion of all time,” referring to Lewis Hamilton.
The bitter comments recall the fallout from the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, one of the most controversial moments in F1 history. Hamilton appeared on course to claim a record-breaking eighth world title after dominating most of the race, only for a late safety car period to turn the outcome on its head.
Wolff’s iconic moment of outrage
A crash late in the race by Williams Nikolas Latiffi brought out the safety car, with Hamilton comfortably leading Max Verstappen. However, Masi made the unusual decision to allow only certain lapped cars to un-lap themselves, then hurriedly ended the safety car period before the final lap — ensuring the championship would be decided under racing conditions.
The call left Hamilton defenceless on heavily worn tyres, while Verstappen, armed with fresh rubber, swept past on the final lap to clinch his first World Championship — and deny Hamilton what would have been a historic eighth crown.
Wolff’s outrage in the Mercedes garage that day became an enduring image of the chaotic finale. Television cameras caught him slamming his headset onto the desk in fury after radioing Masi with the now-iconic words: “Michael, this is so not right.”
Yet given that most passions have faded over the issue, its time to re-examine what happened in Abu Dhabi from a dispassionate point of view, given a number of issues unknown at the time have since come to light…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
