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| Photo by Kym Illman/Getty Images |
Lewis Hamilton hasn’t met Ferrari’s expectations since he joined the team at the start of 2025. While Hamilton may be the most successful driver ever, he has statistically been a downgrade on predecessor Carlos Sainz.
Hamilton has broken an unwanted Ferrari record by failing to score a podium. Last weekend’s Brazilian GP was his 21st missed opportunity.
The 40-year-old is only one place behind Charles Leclerc in the standings, but the gap has grown to 66 points. Leclerc is leading Hamilton 16-5 in qualifying and 15-3 in the races when both are classified.
Hamilton has also failed to reach Q3 six times this season, or eight times including Sprints. All of this has fed growing doubt over his Ferrari future.
Ted Kravitz is certain that Oliver Bearman will ‘eventually replace’ Lewis Hamilton
Speaking on Sky Sports’ F1 Show, Ted Kravitz sounded certain that Haas driver Oliver Bearman will succeed Hamilton. He thinks it’s just a question of when.
Haas say Bearman isn’t available until 2027, and Kravitz still expects Ferrari to honour Hamilton’s contract. Leclerc replaced the veteran Kimi Raikkonen in 2019 after spending his rookie year with engine customers Alfa Romeo Sauber.
Ferrari have also been linked with Oscar Piastri, and it’s said that Sainz would be open to leaving Williams if his former team approached him, but Kravitz can only see one outcome.
“It’s clear as night follows day that Ollie Bearman will eventually replace Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari,” he said. “I think that’s absolutely clear.
“Whether Charles Leclerc will stay there or not long-term is a completely separate subject.
“It’s the Ferrari way – they did it with Charles Leclerc – to farm out their juniors to a Sauber, or to Haas, or to an engine customer, and then bring them in-house.
“Haas insist that they’ve got Bearman nailed down for ’26, so I think Ferrari will let it play out with Hamilton, get to the end of his contract and then make a call on whether it’s Bearman.”
When does Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari contract really expire?
The consensus in the F1 paddock is that Ferrari won’t renew Hamilton’s contract. In theory, that could change if the new regulations offset his apparent decline.
While the team haven’t confirmed the duration themselves, it’s said that Hamilton’s Ferrari contract runs for three years. Bearman may have to be patient.
George Russell spent three years at Williams before he finally got the call-up from Mercedes to replace Valtteri Bottas.
Hamilton’s deal reportedly includes release clauses, though, so he could leave the team earlier without the need for a pay-off if the partnership becomes untenable.
- David Comerford
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