Breaking: F1 star’s route to REPLACE Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari could be BLOCKED… Read more

F1 Star’s Route to Replace Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari Could Be Blocked

 

By Hugo Harvey

 

Lewis Hamilton’s blockbuster move to Ferrari was meant to herald a new era of glory for the Scuderia, but a difficult debut season has already sparked intense speculation about how long the seven-time world champion will remain in Maranello. With Ferrari once again balancing short-term ambition against long-term planning, attention has inevitably turned to potential successors — and one name continues to stand out above the rest: Ollie Bearman.

 

However, while Bearman has long been viewed as Ferrari’s natural heir apparent, fresh concerns have emerged that his pathway to a future race seat with the Italian team could be quietly closing.

 

Hamilton arrived at Ferrari chasing an unprecedented eighth world championship, but expectations have so far outweighed results. Should the 2026 season follow a similar trajectory, there is a growing sense within the paddock that Ferrari may need to accelerate its succession plans. Even as Hamilton remains fully committed to delivering success, Ferrari cannot afford to ignore the future, particularly with major regulation changes looming.

 

For several years, Bearman has been central to that future vision. The British driver joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2022 and rapidly established himself as one of its brightest prospects. His promotion to a full-time Formula 1 seat with Haas marked a significant milestone, giving Ferrari a clear development route similar to the pathways once used for drivers like Charles Leclerc.

 

Yet that carefully structured ladder now faces uncertainty — not because of Bearman’s performances, but because of shifting alliances behind the scenes.

 

Haas and Toyota Partnership Strengthens

 

Haas’ growing relationship with Toyota has become the key variable in Bearman’s Ferrari-linked future. The American team signed a multi-year technical partnership with the Japanese manufacturer last year, a deal that has already reshaped its operational foundations. Toyota is set to replace MoneyGram as Haas’ title partner from the 2026 season, signaling a deepening commitment that extends far beyond simple branding.

 

One of the most tangible benefits of the partnership has been Haas’ access to its own simulator at the Banbury factory — a major step forward for a team that had previously relied on Ferrari’s simulator infrastructure. While this independence strengthens Haas competitively, it also reduces its technical reliance on Ferrari, subtly loosening the ties that once made the team a natural extension of Maranello’s driver development program.

 

As Toyota’s involvement grows, questions are being raised about whether Haas can continue to function as Ferrari’s de facto junior team in the same way it has in recent years.

 

Villeneuve Raises Red Flags Over Bearman’s Future

 

Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve believes that this evolving relationship could have serious consequences for Bearman’s Ferrari ambitions. Speaking on the High Performance Podcast, Villeneuve suggested that while Bearman is clearly being groomed for a Ferrari seat, the foundations supporting that plan may not last.

 

“If you think about it, Bearman is the Ferrari driver. Just waiting for a seat to become available there,” Villeneuve explained. “Although the team will not really be a Ferrari team anymore because Toyota is getting more and more involved in the team so at some point this will stop.”

 

Villeneuve’s comments underline a growing fear within the paddock: that Bearman could find himself caught between two manufacturers, neither fully able — or willing — to prioritize his progression.

 

From Ferrari’s perspective, losing a direct influence over Haas complicates driver placement. A junior driver embedded in a team increasingly aligned with Toyota risks becoming politically awkward, particularly if future technical or strategic conflicts arise. For Haas, balancing Ferrari academy commitments with a deepening partnership with Toyota could become increasingly difficult.

 

A Critical Crossroads for Ferrari and Bearman

 

For Bearman, the situation represents a delicate moment in his career. His performances have justified Ferrari’s faith, but Formula 1 history is littered with talented drivers whose paths were derailed by timing, politics, or shifting alliances. Without a clear Ferrari-controlled seat to graduate into, Bearman’s long-term prospects could depend on circumstances beyond his control.

 

For Ferrari, the dilemma is equally pressing. Hamilton remains a global icon and a formidable competitor, but succession planning cannot be delayed indefinitely. If Bearman’s route becomes blocked, Ferrari may be forced to look elsewhere — or risk losing a driver they have invested years in developing.

 

As the 2026 season approaches and Toyota’s influence at Haas continues to expand, the question is no longer whether Bearman is talented enough to replace Lewis Hamilton, but whether the door he was meant to walk through will still be open when the time finally comes.

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