Ferrari now keeping a close eye on ‘very special’ driver as potential 2027 Lewis Hamilton replacement

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Ferrari will have their full focus on the upcoming Italian Grand Prix with Charles Leclerc starting in fourth, and Lewis Hamilton attempting to score his first podium for the team from P10.

Lewis Hamilton was very close to Charles Leclerc in qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix, but knew he had a five-place grid penalty for a double-waved yellow flag infringement from the previous race in Zandvoort.

Ferrari are still waiting for their first victory of the 2025 F1 season, and after Monza, where they typically bring track-specific updates, all of their focus will be on next year’s car.

Leclerc and Hamilton will hope that Ferrari’s 2026 car is a championship contender, but if it isn’t, there will be question marks surrounding the seven-time world champion’s future.

Hamilton controls a clause in his Ferrari contract that will decide whether he’s still racing for the Scuderia in 2027.

Team principal Fred Vasseur and chairman John Elkann are already thinking about life after Hamilton, although not with a view to replacing him any time soon.

It’s believed that one young driver on the grid is starting to catch their attention, and his performance at Monza won’t have done his hopes of a move any harm if that’s what he wants to do next.

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

Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto’s performances not going ‘unnoticed’ by Ferrari

A report from the Swiss outlet Blick has shared more details about the impressive 2025 rookie campaign Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto is having.

They note that Bortoleto is on a run of six qualifying sessions on the bounce, beating his more experienced teammate, Nico Hulkenberg.

Hulkenberg was eliminated from Q2, while Bortoleto advanced to the top-10 shootout and will start ahead of Hamilton after his grid penalty.

It’s believed that Bortoleto‘s performances ‘won’t go unnoticed at Ferrari with a view to the 2027 season’ when Hamilton could walk away from the team.

Fernando Alonso, who manages Bortoleto, previously spoke about the Brazilian after he scored his first points in Formula 1 at the Austrian Grand Prix.

He said to the sport’s official website: “Gabi was outstanding the whole season, for one reason or another [Nico] Hulkenberg was then scoring the points on Sunday.

“But I think [Bortoleto] deserved maybe before this one to score already, but I hope for him it is the first of many.

“The first points in Formula 1, they always taste very special.“

READ MORE: The best Italian Grand Prix stats you should know as F1 all-time lap record could be broken at Monza

Gabriel Bortoleto ‘really happy’ with Italian Grand Prix qualifying despite far from ‘ideal’ lap

In his official post-session interview after qualifying, Bortoleto said: “I’m really happy with our performance today and to have made it back in Q3.

“The last lap wasn’t ideal, and I feel like I left a little bit on the table there, but it’s still a strong position to start from.

“The car felt good today, our pace is there, and I think tomorrow has the potential to be an interesting one.

“Looking at the grid, there are a few top teams ahead of us, but I’m feeling quite confident we can put up a decent fight and see what’s possible in the race.”

Bernie Ecclestone previously recommended Bortoleto to Ferrari, having helped him reach F1 in the first place.

Bortoleto is contracted to Audi for 2026 when they take over from Sauber, but beyond that, his future is undecided.

If he continues to impress, then he could become the third Brazilian to race for the Scuderia after Rubens Barrichello and Felipe Massa.