<a href="https://f1place.com/antonelli-reflects-on-costly-Mercedes-suspension-setback/”>Lewis Hamilton‘s challenging debut season with Ferrari has prompted questions about the seven-time world champion’s long-term future with the Scuderia, with former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner identifying a clear successor already operating within the Italian outfit’s ranks. The British driver’s maiden campaign in Maranello red delivered few standout moments, highlighted by mounting frustrations with car balance and an underwhelming trophy haul that fell far short of pre-season expectations.
Hamilton’s difficult Ferrari introduction
The 2025 season marked one of the most anticipated driver moves in recent Formula 1 history, yet Hamilton’s transition from Mercedes to Ferrari has proven far from seamless. Beyond a sprint victory in China, the campaign has been punctuated by technical complaints and visible frustration from a driver accustomed to fighting at the front of the field. The working relationship with race engineer Riccardo Adami has reportedly required significant adjustment, with Hamilton frequently expressing a lack of confidence in the car’s handling characteristics. Post-race debriefs have often seen the British veteran struggling to explain performance deficits, a stark contrast to the dominant years that defined his Mercedes tenure.
The team’s 2026 regulations overhaul presents a potential reset opportunity, though Steiner believes time is becoming a critical factor for Hamilton’s Ferrari project. At this stage of his career, the margin for extended rebuilding phases has narrowed considerably. The Hamilton-Ferrari partnership was supposed to deliver immediate silverware, yet the reality has fallen considerably short of those lofty ambitions.
Bearman’s maturity curve impresses veteran observers
Speaking on The Red Flag podcast, Steiner highlighted the remarkable development trajectory of Oliver Bearman, who joined Haas as a rookie in 2025. The Ferrari junior driver’s season split into two distinct phases, with early-season promise marred by costly errors before a notable second-half transformation. “He began the year quickly but made mistakes,” Steiner explained. “In the second half of the season, however, those mistakes disappeared—it was as if a switch had been flipped.”
The former team principal observed that Bearman’s initial approach involved excessive risk-taking given the machinery at his disposal, resulting in multiple offs and an accumulation of penalty points that threatened his superlicense status. Yet the young Briton’s ability to recalibrate his racecraft mid-season demonstrated precisely the adaptability Ferrari values in long-term prospects. “In the second half he continued collecting penalty points, but he stopped making mistakes, even during races, and he fought hard,” Steiner noted, emphasising the distinction between aggressive racing and unforced errors.
Bearman’s performances at Haas throughout 2025 showcased both raw speed and increasing consistency, traits that have not gone unnoticed in the Ferrari garage. The Italian team maintains close oversight of its academy graduates, and the 19-year-old’s progress has reportedly exceeded internal benchmarks set before the season commenced.
Ferrari’s succession planning takes shape
Steiner’s assessment suggests Ferrari possesses a viable contingency plan should Hamilton’s tenure prove shorter than initially envisaged. The Scuderia traditionally favours promoting from within when opportunities arise, a philosophy that has historically served the team well. Bearman’s status as a Ferrari junior places him in pole position should a seat become available, particularly if the current lineup fails to deliver championship success.
“We all know he can overtake, and I believe the door should be open for him at Ferrari in 2027,” Steiner stated. “Because if Lewis doesn’t achieve the success he requires, I don’t think he’ll continue. Then Bearman becomes the obvious candidate for Ferrari.” This timeline aligns with Hamilton’s contract situation and the natural evaluation point following the first generation of ground-effect regulations under Ferrari’s technical structure.
The former team principal’s comments reflect broader paddock sentiment that Hamilton’s Ferrari gamble carries significant career risk. Unlike previous team changes earlier in his career, the British driver now operates without the luxury of multiple seasons to perfect the partnership. Meanwhile, Bearman continues accumulating experience and refining his craft in a less pressurised environment, potentially positioning himself as a lower-risk alternative with greater long-term potential.
What this means going forward
Ferrari enters 2026 at a crossroads, with new technical regulations offering both opportunity and uncertainty. Hamilton requires immediate competitive machinery to justify his move from Mercedes, yet the team’s recent development struggles suggest no guarantees exist. For Bearman, continued strong performances at Haas will keep him firmly in Ferrari’s succession planning, particularly if the team’s academy graduates continue demonstrating championship-calibre potential. The 2026 season may well determine whether Hamilton extends his Ferrari career beyond 2027 or whether the Scuderia accelerates its youth movement with a British driver still wearing red—just a different one than initially planned.
