Guenther Steiner, the former head of Haas, suggests that Lewis Hamilton’s tenure at Ferrari might be shortened following a disappointing debut season. Steiner, aged 60, has identified the emerging talent Oliver Bearman as a potential successor to Hamilton, anticipating a transition before the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Hamilton’s performance at Ferrari has sparked discussions due to his lackluster start. If Hamilton’s struggles persist in the upcoming season, Steiner envisions a potential premature end to the seven-time world champion’s association with the Italian team.
Bearman, who temporarily replaced Carlos Sainz at the previous Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, has ties with Ferrari after joining their Driving Academy in 2022. His impressive displays at Haas this year have caught Steiner’s attention, further solidifying the belief that Bearman could step into Hamilton’s role.
Steiner, in an episode of ‘Gas or Brake’ on The Red Flags podcast, endorsed Bearman as a suitable replacement for Hamilton if the latter’s performance does not improve. He highlighted Bearman’s progress and skills, emphasizing the young driver’s potential to secure a top team seat in the future.
Bearman has demonstrated consistency by scoring points in his last four races, edging closer to surpassing Isack Hadjar and Nico Hulkenberg in the Drivers’ Championship Standings. Despite Bearman’s promising form, Ferrari has faced a challenging season with no victories in 2025, while Hamilton is yet to secure his first podium finish after 21 races. In contrast, Hamilton’s teammate Charles Leclerc has achieved seven podium finishes, trailing only Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Max Verstappen.
The optimism surrounding Bearman’s future at Ferrari is shared by Sky Sports F1 pitlane reporter Ted Kravitz, who anticipates Bearman’s eventual elevation within the team. Kravitz emphasized the inevitability of Bearman replacing Hamilton at Ferrari, echoing Steiner’s sentiments.
Despite the speculations about his future, Hamilton hinted at a prolonged stay, citing his existing contract with Ferrari. “I have a pretty long contract,” mentioned Hamilton, suggesting that discussions about his future are premature at the moment.
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