24 December 2025Sky SportsRace reportDriver Ratings
Bearman Sets His Sights on Ferrari – Could He Be the Next Hamilton?
British teen Oliver Bearman, now a Haas rookie, says Ferrari is his ultimate goal and admits he's only at the start of his F1 career. The “next Hamilton” narrative could reshape the sport’s talent map.
Oliver Bearman, the 18‑year‑old British driver who was a Mercedes reserve in 2023 and will debut with Haas in 2024, says his ultimate target is a Ferrari seat. He admits he’s “just getting started” in F1, but already sees a path that could eventually see him replace a legend like Lewis Hamilton.
Why it matters:
- At 18, Bearman is an ultra‑fast rising prospect who could shift the competitive balance.
- Ferrari’s current lineup is locked, so any future seat would need a long‑term plan.
- A Hamilton‑style successor would give rivals, especially Mercedes, a ready challenger.
The details:
- 2022 FIA Formula 3: Finished third overall with Prema, showing race‑craft against future F2 stars.
- Mercedes reserve: Completed a free‑practice stint at the 2022 Bahrain GP, the youngest to stand in for Hamilton.
- Haas rookie: Signed for 2024, giving a full‑time platform to sharpen racecraft.
- Ferrari ambition: Bearman calls the Scuderia “the obvious target” for any championship‑hungry driver.
- Development focus: With Haas engineers and Mercedes academy support, he’s honing tyre‑management and high‑downforce handling—key for Ferrari.
What's next:
- 2024 is Bearman’s learning year with Haas; strong finishes could speed a move to a top team.
- Ferrari is expanding its driver academy, leaving a window for a future seat.
- Continued gains in qualifying and race pace could turn the “next Hamilton replacement” talk into reality.