John Elkann loved what he saw Lewis Hamilton do after Oliver Bearman debut

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John Elkann has praised Lewis Hamilton for how he reacted after compatriot Oliver Bearman made his Formula 1 debut last weekend.

The Ferrari chairman will welcome Hamilton in the Scuderia in 2025, where he’ll race alongside Charles Leclerc.

And he already loves what he’s seeing from the seven-time world champion off the race track.

Bearman received an emergency call-up from Ferrari in Jeddah after Carlos Sainz fell ill with appendicitis.

He very nearly knocked Hamilton out in Q2 just hours after his temporary promotion, but he was a few hundredths slower.

The 18-year-old would then beat Hamilton on race day, having pitted during an early safety car period as the veteran stayed out.

The Mercedes driver closed the gap in the final stages of the Grand Prix but couldn’t get close enough.

Bearman took seventh to win the driver of the day award, while Hamilton was ninth.

John Elkann hails ‘champion’ Hamilton

Reflecting on Bearman’s F1 bow in an interview with Sky Italia, Elkann was delighted that he was able to fend off two of the highest-rated drivers on the grid in Hamilton and Lando Norris.

And he also applauded the former for immediately heading over to give the youngster a hug in parc ferme.

“If one thinks he can stay ahead of Hamilton and Lando Norris on his debut, I think Oliver will remember this for his whole life,” he said.

“The hug that Lewis wanted to give him shows what a great champion he is on and off the track.”

Will Oliver Bearman replace Hamilton?

There’s a scenario where Bearman proves to be Hamilton’s long-term successor at Ferrari.

He’ll hope to first follow in his footsteps by winning the Formula 2 championship this season.

While Hamilton was able to contend for a title immediately with McLaren in 2007, Bearman may have to be more patient.

The doors to Ferrari are shut for 2025, but plenty of midfield teams, above all Haas, will be keen on him.

From there, he simply have to bide his time before 39-year-old Hamilton decides to retire.

Another of his fellow Britons, George Russell, spent three years with the Williams team before graduating to Mercedes.