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Lewis Hamilton is all set to depart for Ferrari in 2025 with just three races left in his career at the Silver Arrows. A career that has brought him six of his seven Drivers’ Championship titles. According to Johnny Herbert, Ferrari already has a successor lined up for Lewis Hamilton once he decides to step away from Formula 1. Herbert, believes that Haas rookie Oliver Bearman is showing the potential to be a future star at Ferrari when Hamilton’s time with the team comes to an end.
Hamilton, who will turn 40 in January, signed a three-year deal with Ferrari for the 2025 season after leaving Mercedes. With this contract running until he is nearly 43, it’s clear that Hamilton is approaching the latter stages of his illustrious career. As such, Ferrari is said to have already identified a worthy successor in Bearman, who has impressed in his early F1 outings.
About the sensation
Bearman, who has already made a mark in 2023 by substituting for an ill Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, scoring a remarkable seventh-place finish, has since stepped in for Kevin Magnussen at Haas in Azerbaijan and Brazil. Despite a challenging race in Brazil, where he was involved in several incidents, Bearman showed flashes of speed and adaptability, particularly during his first practice session in Brazil when he topped the timesheets.
Herbert, a former F1 driver and FIA steward, has been impressed by Bearman’s ability to adapt quickly to new circuits, a trait he sees as crucial for success in Formula 1. He also believes that Bearman’s connection with Ferrari, having been part of the Scuderia’s driver development program, could lead to a seamless transition into Hamilton’s seat when the seven-time world champion eventually retires.
“For me, the thing that proved what [Bearman] could achieve was in Brazil, a circuit he had never been to before. It is a tricky circuit and he was pretty much on top of it. He went top of the leaderboard on the first free practice on Friday and, in two laps, was on top of the board," Herbert said to Vision4Sport.
Herbert added that Bearman’s ability to quickly adapt and show speed is an excellent sign for his future, especially with the pressure of competing alongside Esteban Ocon at Haas in 2024.
“That is exciting as it’s another Brit and, potentially down the line with the relationship he has got with Ferrari, who knows? He could be joining Ferrari at the end of Lewis’s time there – whenever that may be. So, there is a good replacement already there and Ferrari are very aware that he is someone they want to give a chance to when the opportunity arises," Herbert added.
Despite his confidence in Bearman’s potential, Herbert doesn't believe Hamilton's exit from Ferrari is imminent. He anticipates that Hamilton, now in a new chapter of his career, will be highly motivated by the challenge of racing alongside Charles Leclerc and adjusting to Ferrari’s team culture under new team principal Fred Vasseur.
“Lewis will be looking to fly out of the blocks as quickly and as positively as he can. Has he still got what it takes? I think he has, For Lewis, it will be something fresh. His relationship with Fred Vasseur will be positive and benefit the team. He really respects him. Then there is Charles to deal with at the same time, which will really motivate him. It is all about motivation for the driver," he concluded.
Herbert concluded that, despite the challenges, Hamilton’s new chapter at Ferrari should be a positive one, with the team’s car already showing promise in terms of pace, thanks to Leclerc’s performances.
“It should be a really good start for Ferrari because of the position they are in at the moment. They’ve got to twe
“It should be a really good start for Ferrari because of the position they are in at the moment. They’ve got to tweak a couple of things to ensure overall consistency, but the car has got the pace to win races as Charles has proven," said British driver.
