P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Bearman to replace Hamilton? Why it’s time for a new British hero
It is evident that Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari did not yield the expected results for either the driver or the team. Despite finishing just 14 points behind McLaren in the 2024 constructors’ championship, Ferrari’s addition of the seven-time world champion was anticipated to bring them closer to victory.
On the contrary, Hamilton aimed to challenge for his eighth world title after three lackluster seasons with Mercedes but found himself in sixth place in the drivers’ championship with no podium finishes and a struggling Ferrari team in fourth place in the constructors’ standings.
Various factors, including driver performance and the subpar car, contributed to the disappointing outcome, leading to tensions within the Maranello team and prompting Ferrari chairman John Elkann to urge Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to focus more on driving and less on talking.
Although Hamilton will be with Ferrari for the 2026 season amidst upcoming regulatory changes, the prospect of extending his contract beyond 2026, when promising young drivers will also be available, appears uncertain. This situation could open the door for British F1 talent Oliver Bearman to join Ferrari in the future.
Bearman, a 20-year-old Haas driver, has shown impressive form recently, outperforming his experienced teammate, Esteban Ocon, and contributing to Haas’ push for sixth place in the constructors’ championship. His connection as a Ferrari junior driver and contract expiry aligning with Hamilton’s future make him a viable candidate for a Ferrari seat.
With strong performances and potential demonstrated in his rookie season, Bearman could follow in the footsteps of Leclerc and become Ferrari’s next rising star, offering British F1 fans another homegrown talent to support and cheer on.
