Lewis Hamilton could be replaced at Ferrari after struggling for form during his maiden year with the Italian outfit. The 40-year-old joined the Scuderia from Mercedes ahead of the 2025 season but failed to secure a single podium finish before the campaign came to an end.
Hamilton is one of the greatest drivers in F1 history and has won a joint-record seven world titles throughout his illustrious career. But the Briton was outshone by his team-mate Charles Leclerc last term as the Monegasque claimed seven podium places and finished 86 points above him in the Drivers’ Championship standings. And Hamilton’s days with Ferrari could well be numbered.
According to Auto Motor und Sport, the 2026 season will mark Hamilton’s last chance with Ferrari.
And if he doesn’t perform across the season, he will be replaced in 2027 by Oliver Bearman, who impressed with Haas last season.
Bearman joined the Ferrari driver academy in 2021 and has driven for the Italian team at Grands Prix in the past.
The 20-year-old was loaned out to Haas on a multi-year deal ahead of the 2025 campaign but could return to Maranello to succeed Hamilton.
And Bearman has already been backed by Sky Sports’ Martin Brundle to be given an opportunity with his parent team.
“The moment that there’s a seat at Ferrari for whatever reason, then Bearman should be in it as far as I’m concerned,” Brundle said in October. “I think he’s outstanding and he’s learning fast, and he’s making the most of his opportunity.”
The 2026 season is set to bring about a host of rule changes in F1. And Hamilton was sent a message by Fred Vasseur earlier this month as the Ferrari chief told Sky Italy: “The end-of-year message – but I think we’ve spent so many hours together that we’re completely aligned – is that we all know the season wasn’t good.
“We’ve had time to discuss why. But the message is that 2026 is a completely different story. New chassis, new engine, new battery, new fuel [and] new tyres. New everything.”
The team principal then added: “I think 2026 is a great opportunity for all the teams on the grid, including us. We focused our attention on this project.
“There is good collaboration between the chassis and engine parts. It’s a real challenge, but also a great opportunity from an engineering point of view.
“Let’s see where we will be in Bahrain with the tests and then in Australia. I think it will be a completely different season than this one that has just ended.”