Oliver Bearman says Lewis Hamilton doesn’t see him as a ‘threat’ despite Ferrari ambitions

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Oliver Bearman doesn’t think Lewis Hamilton is concerned about him despite his publicly stated ambitions of racing for Ferrari. The Haas driver is part of the Scuderia’s driver academy.

Bearman is seen as the inevitable successor to Hamilton when the seven-time world champion eventually moves on, whether voluntarily or otherwise.

When Hamilton failed to score a podium during his debut season with Ferrari, it seemed as if the move would happen sooner rather than later. But the 41-year-old’s excellent start to 2026 may be changing the timeline for Bearman.

Oliver Bearman’s respect for Lewis Hamilton amid Ferrari dream

The Telegraph asked Bearman whether Hamilton should be concerned by his rise. The Haas driver has been in superb form himself, starting the year with a P7 in Australia and a P5 in China.

But he accepts that Hamilton, a driver he greatly admires, is unlikely to be intimidated by anyone given his stature in the sport.

Still, Bearman says he only reached F1 in the first place ‘because of Ferrari’ and he is determined to repay their faith by winning races in red. Hamilton’s contract expires at the end of 2027, provided the option for the third year is picked up.

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“I don’t think Lewis sees me as a threat, that’s for sure,” said Bearman. “He is the most decorated driver ever in our sport. A role model for all of us.

“At the moment, my focus is fully with Haas. I truly believe this year, with the new regulations, we have the opportunity to do something really nice.

“But of course, I’m only really here because of Ferrari. Ferrari have trusted me and backed me from the beginning. And my bigger, long-term goal is to put on a red suit and race with them. I would be lying if I didn’t say that.”

Oliver Bearman has been told to speak to McLaren – that’s the worst thing he could do

Inevitably, if Bearman has to wait another year, there will be those who question whether he should start looking elsewhere. After all, there’s no guarantee that Hamilton stops racing at the end of 2027 if he continues to enjoy the current regulations.

One pundit even says Bearman should ‘go to McLaren’ rather than holding out for Ferrari. But it’s hard to see an opportunity materialising at Woking either, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both signing extensions in the recent past.

• READ MORE: David Coulthard says Ferrari can’t keep Oliver Bearman waiting forever despite Lewis Hamilton form

And if Bearman tries to open negotiations with Ferrari’s rivals, that could damage his relationship with the Maranello management. All of a sudden, he could find himself without any prospects of a top seat.

Bearman increasingly looks like a future star and is still only 20 years old. Even if he has to spend a few years in the midfield, he will arrive at the front in good time to achieve his ambitions.