Damon Hill sees clear sign that Ferrari target Oliver Bearman is now ready for a ‘top drive’

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Haas rookie Oliver Bearman has seriously impressed Damon Hill with his recent form, which has even put the Briton on Ferrari’s radar as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton.

Bearman has long been viewed as the natural successor for Hamilton at Ferrari, for once the seven-time F1 champion eventually calls time on his spell at the Scuderia. The 20-year-old is also only on loan from Ferrari to Haas through the 2026 season for his first years on the grid.

The talk of Bearman moving to Maranello in the near future has also only grown in line with Hamilton admitting that he is living a “nightmare” at Ferrari during his first year there. While the 40-year-old arrived with high hopes at the start of 2025, he is still yet to claim a podium.

It has even been said that Ferrari could look to replace Hamilton with Bearman before 2027, with the Scuderia afraid that a rival F1 team may look to tempt their academy product away. Bearman’s consistency has particularly impressed Ferrari, having never questioned his pace.

Oliver Bearman’s ability to ‘make the best use of what he’s got’ astounds Damon Hill

Hill would not be surprised if multiple “top” F1 teams were to approach Bearman soon after the form that the Havering native has produced this year. Bearman has scored points in five of the past seven rounds, including recording a career-best P4 in the Mexico City Grand Prix.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Oliver Bearman, from his net worth to girlfriend

Bearman’s ability to make the most of the car that he has at Haas has also stood out to Hill. The Briton has 40 points through the first 21 rounds of the 2025 F1 season to the 30 points of his teammate, Esteban Ocon. Their efforts put Haas eighth in the constructors’ standings.

Hill told Pit Lane Chronicle: “He’s been shining, hasn’t he? He’s been really going well. That’s been impressive to watch. He’s been making the best use of what he’s got, so it’s been brilliant to see.

“He’s put his hat in the ring, hasn’t he, for a top drive somewhere? If he ever gets a chance. I’m not saying Haas can’t do it, but if an opportunity came up with a frontrunner, then I think he’s on their list.”

Ferrari will know rival F1 teams will be watching Oliver Bearman’s results with Haas

Ferrari appear to share Hill’s belief that Bearman’s impressive form on loan at Haas will see rival teams consider his services in the future. It is said that Ferrari fear a rival F1 team may try to sign Bearman if the Scuderia do not act swiftly enough to ensure he is in their future.

Bearman has taken advantage of driving for Haas, rather than racing for a top team straight away like his 2024 F2 teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli has at Mercedes, to refine his trade. He will also be able to adapt to the 2026 F1 regulations at Haas, before possibly moving on.

But if Hamilton also adapts to the 2026 F1 regulations more than he has ever managed with the ground-effect cars introduced in 2022, as next term’s rules should produce cars that are better suited to him, then Ferrari could have a difficult decision to make regarding Bearman.