Oliver Bearman reveals where he ranks Lewis Hamilton on the current Formula 1 grid

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Oliver Bearman has ranked Lewis Hamilton among the ‘top three’ best Formula 1 drivers on the current grid.

The young Brit made a great impression on the seven-time champion when he beat him on his F1 debut in Jeddah in 2024 with Ferrari. Since then, Hamilton has moved to Maranello, and Bearman has been sharing the grid with him after joining Haas in 2025.

Bearman has been heavily linked with Ferrari for the future, with many seeing him as the 41-year-old’s successor. However, Hamilton does not see Bearman as a ‘threat’, and the pair seem to have a strong relationship.

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The British drivers have enjoyed a brilliant start to 2026, with Hamilton scoring his first podium for Ferrari in China. Bearman has taken a step up with Haas, currently sitting seventh in the standings ahead of Max Verstappen.

Bearman celebrated Hamilton’s first Ferrari podium over his radio after what had been a torrid 2025 campaign. Speaking on the Up To Speed podcast, Bearman shared what it is like to share the grid with the F1 legend.

Ollie Bearman puts Lewis Hamilton in the ‘top three drivers’ on the 2026 F1 grid

Bearman ranks Hamilton among the ‘top three’ drivers in the sport, citing him as key motivation after seeing how ‘hungry’ he is at the age of 41.

“Well, I mean, it’s really cool because Lewis was actually one of the first people in Jeddah to text me to come up to me after the race, and I think show his character and his genuine trait, and obviously we’re at two very different stages of our career,” said the Haas driver.

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“I’m starting out and really hungry and wanting to achieve as much as I possibly can. Lewis has achieved so much and I still think he’s incredibly hungry having missed out obviously in that title.

“But I mean, the most successful driver in the history of F1. It’s first of all really cool to share the grid with him, to see him performing at such a high level at his age is a really motivating thing as well.

“To see his hunger and the fact that he comes back year after year, and I think everyone can agree he’s in the top five, top three drivers, it’s really, really special. The support and love that he gives to the younger generation also shows his character as well.”

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Ollie Bearman named Max Verstappen as the ‘best F1 driver’ ever

With seven titles, 105 wins and 203 podiums, Hamilton is F1’s most successful driver of all time. The ‘GOAT’ debate always causes widespread controversy, and Bearman has a different driver at the top.

Bearman previously named Verstappen as the ‘best F1 driver’ the sport has ever seen. He believes the Red Bull star is the ‘reference’ for the rest of the grid.

It has been a difficult start to the 2026 season for Verstappen as he struggles to grasp the regulation changes. He is not impressed with the new rules, having scored just 12 points thus far.