Lewis Hamilton’s disappointing first season with Ferrari has led to claims that he might be changed, with one F1 driver being tipped for the position
Former Haas boss Guenther Steiner believes Lewis Hamilton’s time at Ferrari might be reduce brief after his disappointing first season. The 60-year-old has tipped rising star Oliver Bearman to be Hamilton’s eventual alternative forward of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Hamilton’s future has turn out to be a scorching matter as a result of his sluggish begin at Ferrari. If Hamilton’s lacklustre type continues into subsequent season, Steiner believes the seven-time world champion’s stint with the Italian crew may draw to an early shut.
Bearman has a historical past with Ferrari, having stepped in for Carlos Sainz finally season’s Saudi Arabia Grand Prix. He joined Ferrari’s Driving Academy in 2022 and has made a robust impression with Haas this yr.
The English driver has steadily been tipped because the probably successor to Hamilton’s seat and Steiner shares that opinion. In the course of the ‘Fuel or Brake’ phase of The Purple Flags podcast, the ex-Haas crew principal was requested if Bearman ought to exchange Hamilton.
“Fuel!” he replied. “If Hamilton subsequent yr is not any good, he ought to exchange him. Ollie is doing a implausible job, he reveals what he is price.
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“Starting of the yr, he made errors. Now he is as clear as they get. Blows away Ocon, who’s a way more skilled driver, paid much more cash I assume. Blows him away, leaves him behind.”
He added: “I feel if Ferrari would not give him a seat in 27, I feel he’ll get a seat in one of many high groups anyway in 27. He is not going to be hanging round within the midfield, as a result of he reveals what he can do. His drives are so strong in the mean time, implausible to look at.”
Bearman has scored factors in his final 4 races and is near overtaking each Isack Hadjar and Nico Hulkenberg within the Drivers’ Championship Standings. Nevertheless, the temper within the Ferrari camp is way from jubilant, having had a disappointing season to date.
The crew has but to style victory within the 2025 season, with Hamilton nonetheless in search of his first podium after 21 races. Nevertheless, his teammate Charles Leclerc has managed seven podium locations, a document solely bettered by Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen.
Steiner’s ideas are echoed by Sky Sports activities F1 pitlane reporter Ted Kravitz, who believes Bearman’s promotion to Ferrari is inevitable. Talking on The F1 Present, Kravitz mentioned: “It is clear as night time follows day that Ollie Bearman will finally exchange Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari. I feel that is completely clear.”
Regardless of the continuing hypothesis about his future, Hamilton has hinted he isn’t planning to go away anytime quickly after talking about his Ferrari deal. “I’ve a reasonably lengthy contract,” Hamilton mentioned.
“Usually, once you do a contract, it is normally the yr earlier than you begin to speak about it. I am somewhat bit removed from that proper now.”
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