Ferrari Urged to Drop Lewis Hamilton as Calls Grow for Oliver Bearman to Take His Seat
Ferrari’s turbulent 2025 season has taken yet another dramatic twist as former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher publicly suggested that the Italian team should consider replacing seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton with rising star Oliver Bearman. Schumacher’s comments add fresh pressure on a team already struggling with form, internal tension, and high expectations following Hamilton’s much-anticipated move from Mercedes.
Hamilton, who joined Ferrari for the 2025 campaign in one of the most publicised transfers in F1 history, has endured a disappointingly difficult season. Despite hopes that the iconic red car would offer him a chance at renewed success, the British driver has yet to stand on the podium this year. Ferrari’s performance issues, combined with reliability concerns and a lack of race-winning pace, have intensified scrutiny on both the team and its drivers.
The situation escalated earlier this week when Ferrari chairman John Elkann issued a sharp warning to his driver lineup. Elkann, frustrated with the team’s inconsistent results, urged Hamilton and team-mate Charles Leclerc to “talk less” and “focus more” on driving. The unusually blunt message reflected the growing dissatisfaction at the highest levels of Ferrari’s leadership.
Against this background, Schumacher voiced his belief that Hamilton’s performance and mistakes this season do not justify the enormous financial investment Ferrari made to sign him. Speaking on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, the former Williams and Toyota driver did not mince words.
“Besides the fact that he makes a lot of mistakes, his speed is just okay, but not outstanding,” Schumacher said. According to him, Hamilton has failed to deliver the sort of race-winning pace many expected and has often been overshadowed by Leclerc.
Schumacher contrasted Hamilton’s struggles with the impressive debut season of Ferrari Academy graduate Oliver Bearman, currently racing for Haas. Bearman, who stepped into Formula 1 as one of the most hyped juniors of his generation, has exceeded expectations by showing maturity, raw pace, and race craft far beyond that of a typical rookie.
“And then I see a young Bearman working wonders with the Haas,” Schumacher continued. “He costs only a fraction of what Hamilton earns.”
Reports suggest Hamilton’s Ferrari contract is worth well over €60 million per year — a figure Schumacher claims Elkann may now find increasingly difficult to justify. “I believe Elkann can no longer defend that spending. It was his call to extend the contract beyond what was already agreed,” he added, hinting that senior figures at Ferrari might already be questioning the long-term value of the Hamilton project.
Bearman’s performances this season have certainly strengthened the argument for giving him a chance in a top-tier team. The 19-year-old Briton has been part of Ferrari’s driver academy for several years, steadily rising through F2 before making the leap into Formula 1. His composure and consistency have stood out during Haas’s midfield battles.
In Mexico, Bearman captured the spotlight by finishing an astonishing fourth place — his best-ever result and one of the strongest Haas performances in recent memory. He backed that up with a sixth-place finish in Brazil, further proving that his earlier success was no fluke. His points-scoring form has drawn considerable attention from both fans and insiders who see him as a potential future Ferrari star.
Schumacher believes Ferrari could already be questioning whether Hamilton is the right investment for the upcoming regulatory era. “I wonder if Ferrari is saying, ‘This has been the same for a year now. Hamilton hasn’t really moved forward,’” he said. “He has improved marginally, but maybe the team wants to spend the money differently.”
He went on to suggest that a younger, fresher, and more adaptable driver like Bearman could be a better fit for Ferrari’s long-term vision. “We’d rather bring in Bearman: a young, fresh driver who can push the brand forward and help us build something for the future regulations,” Schumacher speculated. “It could happen. I’m curious — it’s very exciting.”
While there is no official indication from Ferrari that Hamilton’s seat is under threat, the combination of poor results, internal frustration, and a highly promising junior waiting in the wings ensures this story will continue to develop. With the season entering its final stages and 2026’s regulation overhaul approaching, the pressure on Hamilton — and the temptation of Bearman — may only grow stronger.
