Lewis Hamilton Ferrari replacement already found with ‘ready-made’ F1 star

When Lewis Hamilton decides to hang up his racing helmet, Ferrari has a successor ready, according to Johnny Herbert.

Hamilton will switch to Ferrari in F1 2025, having signed a three-year contract with the Scuderia during the winter break following last season’s championship.

Johnny Herbert: Oliver Bearman a ‘good replacement’ for Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton turns 40 in January, with the British driver much closer to the end of his F1 career than the beginning. Hamilton is set to race for at least three seasons for the Maranello-based team and will therefore be almost 43 years old by the time his new contract expires.

When the time comes where Hamilton departs from Ferrarior retires completely, the Italian team already has a worthy successor waiting in the wings – according to FIA steward Johnny Herbert.

The former F1 driver spoke to Vision4Sportand outlined how he believes Haas rookie Oliver Bearman is already showing signs of being ready to race at the highest level.

Bearman impressed on his F1 debut earlier this season, replacing the ailing Carlos Sainz in Saudi Arabia in seventh place, and has since driven for Haas in Azerbaijan and Brazil in place of Kevin Magnussen – respectively as the Danish driver was suspended and then fell ill.

Bearman showed speed in Brazil, but spent his race day toiling as he was involved in several incidents and accidents, including running into the back of Williams’ Franco Colapinto, and going off track several times.

Bearman has signed to race alongside Esteban Ocon at Haas next season and will therefore have his first full-time season in F1, and Herbert believes his continued links with Ferrari will lead to a seamless transition into Hamilton’s seat once the seven-time F1 world champion departs .

“For me it proved what Bearman could achieve in Brazil, a circuit he had never been to before,” Herbert said.

“It’s a tough track and he was pretty much on top of it. He was at the top of the rankings during the first free practice on Friday and was at the top of the rankings after two laps.