Lewis Hamilton has formally joined Ferrari as a System 1 driver, marking the start of his contract with the Scuderia in 2025. This follows his departure from Mercedes, concluding a protracted and profitable chapter at Brackley. Whereas Lewis Hamilton’s future at Ferrari is now confirmed, the period of his keep alongside Charles Leclerc stays unsure. Hamilton has begun his new journey with Ferrari, donning the staff’s purple colours, but the driving force market continues to evolve, with contenders already positioning themselves to problem for one of many Scuderia’s coveted seats.
On paper, Ferrari’s driver lineup is ready no less than by the 2026 season, with Lewis Hamilton becoming a member of the staff on an preliminary two-year settlement that features the choice for a 3rd. He signed the contract in February 2024, shortly after Ferrari dedicated to the Monegasque driver, securing his place by the 2029 season.
Regardless of the obvious stability, the dynamic nature of the System 1 driver market leaves room for uncertainty. In accordance with the Italian day by day newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, a shift might happen sooner reasonably than later, with a brand new driver prone to be part of Ferrari. This state of affairs casts doubt on the long-term futures of each Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, particularly contemplating the presence of exit clauses in Charles Leclerc’s contract.
One such driver is Oliver Bearman, a promising expertise set to transition from System 2 to System 1 with Haas in 2025. Ollie Bearman, a product of Ferrari’s Driver Academy, gained’t technically be a rookie in 2025, having already participated in three Grand Prix occasions through the 2024 season. His performances in these outings, together with an surprising look for Ferrari on the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as a result of Carlos Sainz’s emergency surgical procedure, have been spectacular. He additionally crammed in for Kevin Magnussen on the Azerbaijan and Sao Paulo Grand Prix for Haas, additional showcasing his capabilities.
If Oliver Bearman can preserve his upward trajectory and show himself as a rising star in System 1, it’s anticipated that it’s solely a matter of time earlier than he graduates to Ferrari, following a path much like Charles Leclerc, who made his personal leap from Sauber to Ferrari after his debut in 2018.
Oliver Bearman’s comparatively modest wage for 2025, reported to be simply £300,000, makes him one of many least-paid drivers on the grid. This stands in stark distinction to Ferrari’s vital wage invoice, with Hamilton and Leclerc commanding base salaries of £39 million and £25 million, respectively. If monetary concerns develop into a driving issue for Ferrari, selling the Brit might save the staff a considerable quantity, however it may additionally necessitate the departure of both Lewis Hamilton or Charle sLeclerc.
In such a state of affairs, Ferrari might additionally revenue from Leclerc’s potential exit. When he signed his new deal in January 2024, reviews indicated that one of many clauses in his contract permits him to terminate the settlement in 2026, ought to the staff’s efficiency not meet his expectations. Nonetheless, this selection comes with a hefty price ticket of £47 million.
The almost certainly route for the Haas F1 driver promotion can be if Ferrari and/or Lewis Hamilton resolve to not lengthen the contract past 2026 or decide to not renegotiate phrases for the 2027 season. For this to occur, the Ferrari junior should show his price in System 1, showcasing his potential with Haas earlier than securing a spot with the Scuderia.
Jan 9, 2025
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