The dream move to Ferrari has rapidly soured for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, with his difficult 2025 season intensifying calls for the Scuderia to replace him with promising British rookie Oliver Bearman.
A Season of Struggle for the Seven-Time Champion
Hamilton's campaign with the iconic Prancing Horse has hit a series of devastating lows. The situation reached a critical point at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where he recorded a Did Not Finish (DNF). His performance hit rock bottom just before that during the Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying, where he qualified dead last on the grid. This marked the first time a Ferrari car has found itself in that position since 2009.
Across 21 outings for the Italian team, Hamilton has failed to secure a single podium finish. This stands in stark contrast to his teammate, Charles Leclerc, who has claimed seven top-three finishes this season, heaping further pressure on the British racing icon.
Bearman's Meteoric Rise and Respectful Demeanour
As Hamilton struggles, 19-year-old Oliver Bearman is enjoying a stellar debut season with the Haas F1 Team. The young Brit secured the best result of his fledgling career with a stunning fourth place at the Mexico City Grand Prix. He followed this impressive performance with a sixth-place finish in Brazil, placing him 11th in the drivers' standings.
Despite the growing media speculation linking him to Hamilton's seat, Bearman has shown nothing but respect for the veteran driver and has called for calm. When asked about being a natural choice for Ferrari, he gave a straightforward response to Sky Sports F1.
"One weekend they're saying this, but then when the previous weekend doesn't go well, they're saying the opposite," Bearman commented, downplaying the media praise. "I just try and keep my head down, focus on continuing to have those good results and deliver good points for the team."
He even described his standout result in Mexico as "lucky", adding a note of realism about his team's expectations for the remaining races.
Paddock Insiders Weigh In on the Future
The motorsport world is abuzz with talk of Bearman's inevitable promotion. F1 journalist Ted Kravitz stated on Sky Sports' The F1 Show: "It's clear as day that Ollie Bearman will eventually replace Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, I think that's absolutely clear."
Kravitz highlighted the classic Ferrari strategy of farming out junior drivers to customer teams like Haas or Sauber before bringing them into the main squad, a path previously taken by Charles Leclerc.
Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner was even more direct. During a segment on The Red Flags podcast, when asked if Bearman should replace Hamilton, he emphatically responded: "Gas!" He elaborated: "If Hamilton next year isn't any good, he should replace him. Ollie is doing a fantastic job, he shows what he's worth."
Steiner also praised Bearman for "blowing away" his more experienced teammate, Esteban Ocon, and suggested that even if Ferrari doesn't act, Bearman's talent guarantees him a seat with a top team by 2027.
With the next challenge being the Las Vegas Grand Prix, all eyes will be on both Hamilton, seeking to salvage his reputation, and Bearman, who continues to build his case for a premier drive with every passing race.
