Guenther Steiner, the former Haas team principal, has suggested that Lewis Hamilton’s tenure at Ferrari may be brief due to his underwhelming performance in his first season. Steiner has identified young talent Oliver Bearman as a potential successor to Hamilton, tipping him for a future role at Ferrari before the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Hamilton’s future at Ferrari has been the subject of speculation following his lackluster start with the team. Steiner has indicated that if Hamilton’s struggles persist into the next season, the seven-time world champion’s association with Ferrari could come to an early end.
Bearman, who replaced Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix last season and joined Ferrari’s Driving Academy in 2022, has impressed with his performances at Haas. Steiner, echoing widespread sentiments, believes Bearman is a strong candidate to succeed Hamilton.
In a recent segment on ‘The Red Flags podcast,’ Steiner expressed his confidence in Bearman, stating, “If Hamilton doesn’t perform well next year, Bearman should replace him.” He praised Bearman’s progress and solid driving skills, highlighting his potential to secure a seat in a top team by 2027.
Bearman’s recent success in scoring points in four consecutive races has put him in contention to surpass Isack Hadjar and Nico Hulkenberg in the Drivers’ Championship Standings. Despite Bearman’s promising performances, Ferrari has faced a disappointing season without a single victory in 2025, with Hamilton yet to secure a podium finish after 21 races.
Ted Kravitz, a Sky Sports F1 pitlane reporter, shares Steiner’s belief in Bearman’s future at Ferrari, foreseeing his eventual promotion to the team. Kravitz emphasized Bearman’s inevitable role as Hamilton’s replacement, affirming the growing consensus within the F1 community.
While speculation swirls around Hamilton’s future, the British driver has indicated he has a long-standing contract with Ferrari and is not currently considering an exit. Sky Sports has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to include additional streaming services and comprehensive coverage of Formula 1 and other sports events.