Ferrari’s internal tension has intensified as a former senior Formula 1 figure hinted that Lewis Hamilton’s future in red may not be as secure as once assumed. With the 2025 campaign winding down and Hamilton enduring one of the most anaemic seasons of his career, speculation is swirling about whether the Scuderia could make a radical driver change ahead of the sport’s seismic 2026 regulation reboot. Although Hamilton was originally expected to anchor Ferrari through the transition, his lack of form has reignited doubts inside and outside Maranello.
The seven-time champion has yet to step onto the podium this year, with a trio of fourth-place finishes serving as the lone highlights in an otherwise lacklustre run. His struggles have amplified the growing frustration in the Ferrari camp, prompting former Red Bull operations chief Richard Hopkins to float a far more audacious solution: replacing Hamilton with McLaren’s rising star, Oscar Piastri. Hopkins argued that should the Australian’s strained partnership with Lando Norris deteriorate further, Ferrari would be wise to capitalise.
Piastri’s stock has risen sharply following his relentless wheel-to-wheel duels with Norris, and murmurs suggest he may be evaluating his long-term future. While some insiders have linked him to Red Bull, Hopkins dismissed that possibility as a “poisoned chalice,” notorious for destroying anyone who steps into Max Verstappen’s shadow. Instead, he proposed Ferrari as the more strategic — and stable — destination, framing Piastri as a rare blend of raw pace, composure, and adaptability.
Hopkins did, however, offer a secondary candidate: Haas rookie Ollie Bearman. The young Brit, embedded within the Ferrari system, has impressed with a late-season surge, consistently outperforming Esteban Ocon in qualifying and displaying flashes of elite potential. Although Bearman still wrestles with inconsistency and inexperience, Hopkins argued that his familiarity with Ferrari machinery and his developmental ceiling make him a logical contingency option should the Piastri avenue collapse.
Despite the swirl of speculation, Hopkins ultimately urged Ferrari to remain patient with Hamilton, suggesting the arrival of the 2026 regulations could unlock a resurgence. He argued that Hamilton’s pedigree, experience, and adaptability might yet vindicate Ferrari’s enormous investment — provided the team can give him a competitive platform. For now, the future of Ferrari’s lineup hangs in delicate balance, suspended between loyalty to a legend and the lure of a generational talent.
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