Former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe believes Oliver Bearman could be the “heir” to Lewis Hamilton‘s seat at Ferrari when the time comes.
Hamilton joined Ferrari this year after spending 12 incredible years with Mercedes but hasn’t managed to get on the podium yet with his new team.
His contract runs through next year, and nobody’s quite sure what the seven-time World Champion plans to do after that.
Meanwhile, young Oliver Bearman is turning heads. The 20-year-old Haas driver just scored his best-ever finish with fourth place at the Mexican Grand Prix.
Bearman is already part of Ferrari’s junior program, making him a natural candidate to eventually take Hamilton’s spot.
“Save for a few rookie mistakes early in the year, Bearman is showing himself to be a well-rounded grand prix driver,” Hinchcliffe wrote on Formula1.com.
“This begs the question, what could be next for him?”
Hinchcliffe points to the interesting timing of everyone’s contracts and Bearman’s connections to Ferrari.
“We know he has a multi-year deal with Haas. Just as we know Hamilton has a multi-year deal with Ferrari.”
“Given he came up through the Ferrari academy, made his (rather successful) debut for the team last year, coupled with the growth and performance he is showing week in and week out, it would surprise no one if Bearman was heir apparent to the seat Hamilton currently occupies when the seven-time champion decides to call it a day on his Formula 1 endeavours.”
The young Brit already has some Ferrari experience under his belt. He stepped in for Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix earlier this year and impressed everyone by finishing seventh.
Hinchcliffe sees a bright future ahead for Bearman regardless of where he ends up.
“Needless to say, whether it’s with the Scuderia or not, Bearman’s performances are making it seem like he will be a staple of the grid for years to come.”
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