Bernie Ecclestone tells Ferrari to ‘wake up’ and sign 14-point star as their next F1 driver

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Ferrari have, on paper, arguably the strongest line-up on the F1 grid for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

Charles Leclerc is contracted to Ferrari until 2029, which is the longest deal on the current grid. Teammate Lewis Hamilton is tied down until at least the end of next season, with the option of another year, after joining from Mercedes over the winter.

The seven-time world champion has control over whether he wants to extend his contract until 2027. This creates uncertainty about his future with Ferrari and F1 in general, especially given his current mood.

Hamilton is still without a podium for the Maranello outfit, not including Sprint races, as he sits sixth in the drivers’ championship. The 40-year-old has been struggling to adapt to his new environment after years in the Mercedes setup.

Last time out at the Hungarian GP was perhaps his most miserable weekend to date, qualifying and finishing P12. Hamilton said he was ‘useless’ on Saturday and even suggested that Ferrari should replace him.

Bernie Ecclestone tells Ferrari to ‘wake up’ and sign Gabriel Bortoleto as their next F1 driver

Of course, Ferrari will not want to give up easily on the Brit. However, some journalists believe that Hamilton will quit in 2025 and call time on his F1 career.

The 2026 technical regulations could present Hamilton’s last chance to win an eighth championship, having desperately struggled with the current generation of cars. If he cannot be competitive next season, he may decide to retire.

Oliver Bearman is being lined up as Ferrari’s next talent, with the Brit already having an apartment in Maranello. He has impressed the team with his substitute appearances in 2024 and with Haas during his rookie season in 2025.

But the team have been told to consider other candidates. Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone previously said Ferrari should ‘steal’ Isack Hadjar to replace Hamilton, but he now has another driver for the prancing horse to consider.

Speaking via Blick, Ecclestone has suggested Gabriel Bortoleto to the Maranello outfit: “Bortoleto’s good performances in a midfield team like Sauber should really wake Ferrari up now. The Italians’ next driver question has to be resolved with the Brazilian.”

READ MORE: Who is 2025 Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto? Everything you need to know

F1 fans thought ‘Ferrari is the goal’ for Gabriel Bortoleto before his Sauber debut

Bortoleto is quickly establishing himself as a serious talent in F1. He has helped Sauber move from the back of the grid into a competitive midfield outfit.

The Brazilian has been regularly outqualifying his experienced teammate Nico Hulkenberg, with Q3 appearances becoming more of a formality in recent races. Bortoleto has scored 14 points thus far, with a best finish of sixth last time out in Budapest.

Manager Fernando Alonso labelled Bortoleto as the best rookie of his generation as he continues to impress the F1 paddock. Many are backing him to reach the top, and some have a certain team in mind.

F1 fans felt ‘Ferrari is the goal’ for Bortoleto after saying that his favourite track was Imola and his favourite colour was red before the season started. The Brazilian could certainly be a driver for the team to consider as he enters an exciting new era with Audi in 2026.