Oliver Bearman names one area where Lewis Hamilton is still the best driver in Formula 1

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Oliver Bearman will hope to replace Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari one day. He’s the leading member of the Scuderia’s driver academy.

When Hamilton eventually leaves, Ferrari will have to decide whether to promote from within or recruit another established superstar. Bearman is under contract for at least two years at engine customers Haas.

Intriguingly, Hamilton’s Ferrari contract also runs for two years. But it’s been reported that both parties have the option to continue into 2027.

The 40-year-old is currently sixth in the world championship, 16 points behind teammate Charles Leclerc. He wasn’t able to score a Grand Prix podium in the first half of the season.

Oliver Bearman says Lewis Hamilton is still the strongest F1 driver mentally

In an interview on the ‘P1 with Matt and Tommy’ YouTube channel, Bearman was asked to build his perfect driver. He believes that reigning world champion Max Verstappen is both the fastest and most adaptable on the grid.

Bearman picked Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher as the fittest driver. Schumacher retired at the end of 2012, but the rookie says he was a ‘pioneer’ in this regard.

But when it comes to mental strength, Bearman can’t look past Hamilton. The 40-year-old’s career has been defined by comeback drives at decisive moments, including Germany 2018, Turkey 2020 and Brazil 2021.

He’s also spoken about the inner demons he faced after the heartbreak of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP, but still believes he will win an eighth world championship before he retires.

“Racecraft? Me!” Bearman joked.

“Raw speed? I’m not full of myself, I would say Verstappen.

“Mental strength? I guess Lewis.

“Adaptability? Max again.

“Fitness? Maybe Schumacher. I think he was a pioneer for us in terms of fitness.”

Ollie Bearman thinks he’s impressed Ferrari this year – but do his results say otherwise?

Speaking to Motorsport.com, Bearman expressed his confidence in his Ferrari prospects. He says his dream is to win races in their colours.

“I’m sure that Maranello also believes in my qualities,” he said. “If they’ve supported me in recent years, even offering me the opportunity to be where I am, it’s because they believe that one day I’ll be able to race in a red suit.

“And that’s what gets me out of bed every morning and motivates me to improve, to become the best version of myself, because I want to race in red, I want to win in red. That’s my main motivation in life.”

• READ MORE: F1 fans predict Oliver Bearman will have a ‘great career’ after hearing what he said to Alain Prost at Goodwood

After his first 12 races, Bearman sits 18th in the championship. That puts him above just one full-time driver (Gabriel Bortoleto on four).

He scored points in three of the first four rounds, but hasn’t added to that haul since. Bearman can at least take encouragement from his qualifying record against experienced race-winner Esteban Ocon – he’s beaten him in six out of 13 sessions.

But he’s been outshone by Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar and arguably Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli in this year’s rookie class. He knows he must become more consistent to make a Ferrari move a possibility.