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Ferrari Succession Plan Faces Uncertainty as Haas–Toyota Alliance Grows
The Formula 1 driver widely viewed as a long-term successor to Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari may find his route to Maranello increasingly complicated, amid growing concerns that a key pathway into the team could soon be cut off.
Lewis Hamilton’s much-anticipated move to Ferrari has yet to deliver the instant impact many expected, with the seven-time world champion enduring a challenging start to life at the Scuderia. While Hamilton remains fully committed to chasing a record-breaking eighth world title, speculation has begun to surface that the 2026 season could mark the final chapter of his F1 career—particularly if Ferrari’s competitive struggles persist.
With that in mind, Ferrari are already being urged to look beyond the immediate future, and one name continues to stand out as a potential heir apparent: Ollie Bearman.
The British driver has long been viewed as one of Ferrari’s most promising young talents. A member of the Ferrari Driver Academy since 2022, Bearman earned widespread praise for his rapid rise through the junior categories before securing a full-time Formula 1 seat with Haas. His move to the American outfit was seen as a strategic step, offering Ferrari the opportunity to closely monitor his development in F1 while keeping him within their broader ecosystem.
However, that carefully planned pathway may now be under threat.
Haas–Toyota Partnership Raises Questions
Haas’ evolving relationship with Japanese manufacturer Toyota has sparked uncertainty about the team’s long-standing technical alignment with Ferrari. The two organisations signed a multi-year technical partnership last year, a deal that will see Toyota become Haas’ title partner from the 2026 season, replacing MoneyGram.
The agreement has already delivered tangible benefits for Haas. Most notably, the team now has access to its own dedicated simulator at its Banbury headquarters—something it had previously lacked, relying instead on Ferrari’s simulator facilities. This development has been interpreted by many as a significant step towards greater independence from Ferrari.
As Toyota’s involvement deepens, concerns have emerged that Haas may gradually distance itself from Ferrari altogether, potentially severing a vital link that currently connects Bearman to Maranello.
Villeneuve Sounds Warning
Former Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has been among those to raise doubts about how long the Ferrari–Haas relationship will continue. Speaking on the High Performance Podcast, Villeneuve suggested that Bearman’s situation could become increasingly complicated if Haas moves further away from Ferrari’s influence.
Villeneuve described Bearman as effectively being “a Ferrari driver in waiting,” someone expected to step into a Ferrari race seat once the opportunity arises. However, he questioned whether Haas will continue to function as a de facto Ferrari-affiliated team as Toyota’s presence grows.
“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.”
Those comments underline a growing concern within the paddock: that Bearman’s current environment may no longer serve Ferrari’s long-term interests as effectively as initially planned.
Ferrari’s Long-Term Dilemma
Ferrari have traditionally relied on customer teams as stepping stones for young drivers, using them as proving grounds before promoting talent to the works squad. If Haas’ technical and operational ties to Ferrari weaken significantly, the Italian team may be forced to reconsider whether Bearman’s placement there remains strategically viable.
At the same time, Ferrari face a delicate balancing act. Hamilton’s experience and star power are invaluable assets, particularly during a period of regulatory upheaval heading into 2026. Yet the Scuderia cannot afford to delay long-term planning indefinitely, especially with rivals aggressively investing in youth and continuity.
For Bearman, the situation presents both opportunity and risk. Strong performances will continue to enhance his reputation regardless of team politics, but a breakdown in the Ferrari–Haas relationship could complicate any future promotion.
Uncertain Road Ahead
While no immediate changes are expected, the trajectory of Haas’ partnership with Toyota will be closely watched over the coming seasons. If the alliance continues to deepen, it could reshape Haas’ identity within Formula 1—and, in doing so, disrupt Ferrari’s carefully laid succession plans.
For now, Bearman remains one of Ferrari’s brightest prospects. But whether his path to a Ferrari race seat remains clear may depend less on his own performances and more on how the shifting alliances of Formula 1 unfold beyond the cockpit.
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