The motorsport world is still buzzing about Lewis Hamilton’s seismic switch to Scuderia Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season. But while the seven-time world champion commands the spotlight in Maranello, Haas F1 Team Principal Ayao Komatsu has dropped a bombshell: Ferrari may already have their heir apparent lined up—and he’s just 19 years old.
Haas unveils Ferrari’s rising star
Oliver Bearman, a Ferrari junior driver and one of the brightest young talents in Formula 1, has joined Haas on a two-year loan deal with an option for a third year. Komatsu revealed that this agreement places Bearman firmly on Ferrari’s radar as a potential replacement for Hamilton once the British legend decides to hang up his helmet.
“He [Oliver Bearman] is a Ferrari driver, and we’ve got him [on loan] for two years – two plus one,” Komatsu explained.
The Haas boss made it clear that Bearman’s time at Haas is a proving ground. If the 19-year-old can deliver results on the track, Ferrari will find it impossible to ignore his potential.
“If we do a good job [with him] before he does a good job, there’s no way Ferrari can ignore that.”
Bearman’s early F1 impact
Bearman has already turned heads in Formula 1. The young Brit made his debut with Ferrari-powered Haas during FP1 sessions last season, where he impressed with his mature feedback and raw pace. Komatsu emphasized that Bearman is treated not as a rookie, but as a full-fledged driver whose input is invaluable.
“I don’t treat him as a rookie. He can drive a lot, and with these young engineers as well, they can grow together. We pay lots of attention to what he has to say.”
Komatsu’s comments underline the team’s faith in Bearman’s ability to thrive under the intense pressure of Formula 1. His early performances have already solidified his reputation as a promising talent capable of taking on the sport’s elite.
Ferrari’s long-term plan for Bearman
With Hamilton now in the twilight of his career, Ferrari’s decision to invest in young talents like Bearman is strategic. The Scuderia is known for its history of grooming future stars, and Bearman’s potential makes him an ideal candidate to succeed Hamilton when the time comes.
Currently, Ferrari’s focus remains on maximizing Hamilton’s impact as he begins his journey with the iconic team. However, the pressure on Hamilton to deliver immediate results in the ground-effect era is immense. Should Ferrari’s gamble on the 40-year-old fail to yield the desired results, Bearman’s name could rise to the forefront of discussions sooner than expected.
The stakes for Bearman and Ferrari
For Bearman, the next two years at Haas represent a critical phase in his career. If he can deliver consistent performances and demonstrate his ability to compete at the highest level, he could force Ferrari’s hand. The Scuderia, meanwhile, must balance their short-term ambitions with Hamilton against the long-term vision of integrating a young, hungry talent like Bearman.
As Komatsu aptly put it: “There’s no way Ferrari can ignore that.”
