Lewis Hamilton warned Ferrari could replace him with 'outstanding' British F1 driver

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Lewis Hamilton is loving life at Ferrari so far (Photo: Getty)

Sir Lewis Hamilton has been warned he could be replaced at Ferrari after just two seasons by an ‘outstanding’ British Formula 1 driver.

The seven-time world champion has begun life at the Scuderia after 12 successful years with Mercedes, making his first appearance in red last week.

He drove an older Ferrari car at the team’s Fiorano test track, completing 30 laps in wet conditions, before greeting around 1,000 Tifosi who had gathered outside the circuit just to get a glimpse of their new hero.

The union of Hamilton and Ferrari – the most successful driver and team in F1 history – is a source of much excitement but no one knows how long it will last for.

It is believed the 40-year-old has signed a contract until 2026, with an option for the 2027 season as he looks to win a record-breaking eighth championship.

However, if things don’t go to plan, Hamilton could find himself dropped for a rival Brit: Oliver Bearman.

After three race appearances last season, Bearman is joining the grid full-time in 2025 with American team Haas, who have a close association with Ferrari.

Oliver Bearman came through the Ferrari academy (Photo: Getty)

The 19-year-old came through the Italian’s academy and Haas boss Ayao Komatsu believes it is only a matter of time before Italians recall the young racer who hails from Essex.

‘We have him on loan for at least two years. Two plus one,’ the Japanese team principal explained.

‘If we do a good job and Ollie does a good job, Ferrari will not be able to ignore him. But the fact that we have two years secured with him – provided nothing happens with Lewis and Charles [Leclerc] – is great.

Bearman has joined Haas for 2025 after driving for them twice last year (Photo: Getty)

‘If we make improvements together so that at the end of 2026 Ferrari insist on having Ollie in their car, that has to be a compliment to us. In the medium term, yes – I see him as a future Ferrari driver.

‘With Ollie, it's not just about his speed, it's about everything. I almost couldn't believe that this guy was only 18.

Hamilton drove a Ferrari for the first time last week (Photo: Getty)

‘In fact, we don't treat him like a rookie in the sense that we pay very close attention to what he has to say. And every time he gets in the car, his feedback is excellent, his approach is outstanding, his speed is great.’

Bearman made his F1 debut with Ferrari, stepping in at the last minute for the unwell Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix where he finished an impressive seventh despite very limited experience of an F1 car.

When is Lewis Hamilton next driving for Ferrari?

Following his Fiorano debut, Hamilton is expected to once again drive Ferrari’s 2023 car at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – home of the Spanish Grand Prix – from Tuesday to Thursday.

He’ll return to the track next week for a Pirelli tyre test.

Official pre-season testing then takes place from February 26-28 before the first grand prix of the year in Australia on March 26.

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