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Ferrari Pointed Toward Ready-Made Successor as Hamilton Retirement Talk Grows
Ferrari may already have its next long-term driver waiting in the wings if Lewis Hamilton’s time in Formula 1 comes to an end sooner rather than later. Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has publicly backed Oliver Bearman as the clear frontrunner to replace the seven-time world champion should Ferrari be forced into a succession decision.
Hamilton’s arrival at Maranello was one of the most significant moves in modern Formula 1, but it also came with inevitable questions about longevity. With Hamilton approaching the final stages of his career, speculation has continued to grow over how long Ferrari can realistically expect his services — particularly if immediate championship success proves elusive.
Steiner believes Ferrari are well prepared for such a scenario, pointing to Bearman as an “obvious candidate” who is already proving he belongs at the highest level.
Bearman has been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy since 2021 and has steadily built a reputation as the Italian team’s most exciting young talent. At just 20 years old, the British driver has already gained valuable Formula 1 experience with both Ferrari and Haas, and his first full season on the grid showcased both his raw potential and his ability to adapt under pressure.
The early stages of his campaign were far from straightforward. Bearman’s season-opening weekend in Australia ended in disappointment after a heavy crash during first practice, and further errors followed in the opening races. Those incidents highlighted a recurring theme: exceptional pace coupled with an eagerness that sometimes crossed the line.
Yet rather than derailing his progress, those setbacks became a learning curve.
As the season developed, Bearman showed remarkable improvement. The mistakes that defined his early races gradually disappeared, replaced by controlled aggression and consistent execution. By mid-season, he had established himself as a regular contender for Q3 and began delivering strong results on a weekly basis.
The final third of the campaign was particularly impressive. Bearman finished in the points in seven of the last nine races, an achievement that placed him among the most consistent performers on the grid during that period. His standout moment came in Mexico City, where he stormed to an outstanding fourth-place finish and went toe-to-toe with some of Formula 1’s biggest names, including Max Verstappen.
Despite the positive trajectory, one concern remained. Bearman accumulated a high number of penalty points throughout the year, meaning he will begin the new season just two points away from triggering an automatic race ban. While this statistic raises questions about discipline, Steiner believes it must be viewed in context.
Speaking on the Red Flags podcast, Steiner offered a detailed assessment of Bearman’s progression and why Ferrari should consider him a future race winner rather than a risky gamble.
“In the first half of the season, he was clearly fast, but he was pushing too hard,” Steiner said. “He was taking risks with the car and that led to mistakes. That’s why the penalty points started to build up.”
“But then something changed,” he continued. “In the second half of the year, it was like a switch flipped. He stopped making those errors, even while racing hard. That’s the sign of a driver who’s learning very quickly.”
Steiner was particularly impressed by Bearman’s racecraft and ability to manage wheel-to-wheel battles, a skill set that is crucial for success at Ferrari.
“He can overtake, he can defend, and he doesn’t get intimidated,” Steiner explained. “That’s not something you can teach easily.”
Beyond his on-track performances, Steiner also highlighted Bearman’s professionalism away from the circuit — an often overlooked but vital factor when driving for a team as demanding as Ferrari.
“He handles the environment well,” Steiner said. “The pressure, the engineers, the media — all of it. At Ferrari, that matters just as much as lap time.”
Steiner also questioned how long Hamilton would remain motivated if Ferrari are unable to deliver immediate championship contention.
“If Lewis doesn’t get the success he wants, I don’t see him staying around,” Steiner stated. “And if that happens, Ferrari need someone who is already prepared.”
For Steiner, Bearman fits that description perfectly. He understands the Ferrari system, has already demonstrated he can perform in Formula 1, and continues to show rapid improvement with every race weekend.
While Ferrari have made no public indication of their post-Hamilton plans, the growing confidence surrounding Bearman suggests the Scuderia may not need to look outside its own programme when the time comes.
If Hamilton’s Ferrari chapter proves shorter than hoped, Bearman’s rise could offer Maranello a seamless transition — from a proven legend to a new generation ready to carry the famous red colours into the future.
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