Ferrari Given Clear Successor Option as Hamilton’s Future Questioned
Ferrari may already have the perfect long-term replacement lined up should Lewis Hamilton decide to walk away from Formula 1, according to former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner. The outspoken paddock veteran has identified Oliver Bearman as the “obvious candidate” to step into a Ferrari race seat if Hamilton retires at the end of the season.
Hamilton’s blockbuster move to Ferrari was always expected to carry an element of risk, with the seven-time world champion entering the twilight of his career. While Ferrari hope the Briton can deliver immediate success, questions remain over how long he intends to stay in the sport — particularly if results fail to match expectations.
Steiner believes Ferrari’s succession plan is already in place, and that Bearman’s rapid development has put him firmly at the front of the queue.
Bearman, now 20, has been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy since 2021 and is widely viewed as the Scuderia’s most promising young prospect. His first full Formula 1 campaign last season — split across Ferrari and Haas machinery — was a story of resilience, growth, and maturity beyond his years.
The season did not begin smoothly. Bearman endured a bruising introduction, including a heavy crash during first practice at the Australian Grand Prix. A series of further errors followed across the early rounds, reinforcing the perception that while he possessed undeniable speed, he was still raw and overly aggressive.
However, the narrative changed dramatically as the year progressed.
From the midpoint of the season onwards, Bearman appeared transformed. The mistakes that plagued his early races largely disappeared, replaced by composed, intelligent driving and consistent performance. He became a regular feature in Q3 and steadily accumulated points, cementing himself as one of the standout young drivers on the grid.
Bearman scored in seven of the final nine races of the campaign, a remarkable run for a rookie, and produced one of the performances of the season with a stunning fourth-place finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix. On that day, he went wheel-to-wheel with established stars, including Max Verstappen, and emerged with widespread praise from across the paddock.
Despite the impressive turnaround, one concern lingered. Bearman accumulated a significant number of penalty points over the course of the year, leaving him just two points away from a race ban heading into the new season. While this raised eyebrows, Steiner believes it does little to diminish the bigger picture.
Speaking on the Red Flags podcast, Steiner reflected on Bearman’s development curve and why Ferrari should be paying close attention.
“At the start of 2025 he was fast, but he was making mistakes,” Steiner explained. “He was taking too much risk with the car he had, and that led to a few offs. That’s why he picked up penalty points.”
“But in the second half of the season, it was like someone flicked a switch,” he added. “He just stopped making mistakes. Even in races, he was fighting hard but cleanly. Everyone knows he can overtake — that’s never been in doubt.”
Steiner also highlighted Bearman’s composure under pressure and his ability to manage the demands of modern Formula 1, both on and off the track.
“He’s good with everything around him,” Steiner said. “The media, the engineers, the environment — that stuff matters at Ferrari.”
Crucially, Steiner believes Hamilton’s future could hinge on immediate success, and if that success does not materialise, Ferrari may need to act quickly.
“If Lewis doesn’t get the results he needs, I don’t see him continuing,” Steiner stated. “And if that happens, the door should be open for Bearman in 2027.”
For Ferrari, the appeal is obvious. Bearman is already embedded within the team’s ecosystem, understands its culture, and has demonstrated that he can compete at the sharp end of the grid. Unlike many young drivers, he has already experienced the pressure of high expectations — and responded positively.
While Ferrari have yet to make any public statements regarding post-Hamilton plans, Steiner’s verdict adds weight to the growing belief that Bearman is no longer just a prospect for the future, but a genuine contender for one of the most coveted seats in Formula 1.
If Hamilton’s Ferrari chapter proves short-lived, Maranello may not need to look far for its next star.
