3 F1 drivers who could replace Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari should he take an early retirement in 2025

Rumors around Lewis Hamilton taking an early retirement after the 2025 F1 season have been circling the F1 paddock since last weekend's Spanish GP. The seven-time F1 champion was downbeat after he struggled with the race pace of the SF25 at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Lewis Hamilton started the 2025 Spanish GP in P5 and struggled throughout the race, fighting the car for pace. He finished P7 and was promoted to P6 after Max Verstappen's penalty. After the race, the Briton was in a bad mood during an interview with Rachel Brookes.

“I just had a really bad day and have nothing to say. It was a difficult day, there's nothing else to add to it, it was terrible.”

This isn't the first time Hamilton has struggled with the SF25. While Charles Leclerc has taken three podiums since the start of the current season, Hamilton has failed to even get one. The softer rear suspension and the ride height issues of the Ferrari seem not to suit Hamilton's driving style.

Amid all this, Juan Pablo Montoya came out and advised Ferrari to build the 2026 F1 car around Lewis Hamilton, and not Charles Leclerc. Nonetheless, with rumors of Hamilton taking an early retirement from Ferrari despite being contracted to drive until the end of the 2026 season, let's have a look at three F1 drivers that could possibly replace the Briton at Scuderia.

#1 Oliver Bearman

Oliver Bearman was Ferrari's reserve driver for the 2024 F1 season and was called upon by the Italian Stable to replace Carlos Sainz, who underwent appendix surgery before the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP. Bearman was a member of the Ferrari driver academy and was signed by Haas for the 2025 driver lineup.

F1 Grand Prix of Canada - Previews - Source: Getty

While reports suggest that Bearman has signed a multi-year contract with Haas, it wouldn't be out of the question for the Briton to make the jump to Ferrari and replace Lewis Hamilton. Given the youngster's Ferrari background, he might prove to be a good fit at Scuderia.

#2 George Russell

George Russell’s current Mercedes contract ends after the 2025 season. There haven't been any reports of the Silver Arrows offering the Briton a contract extension as of yet. Russell has proved himself at Mercedes, performing on level terms with Lewis Hamilton as his teammate.

F1 Grand Prix of Spain - Source: Getty

Russell can be considered unlucky not to have a car capable of challenging for titles, but he has made the most out of the situation. With the contract due for renewal, Ferrari could snipe the British driver who has already proven himself on the highest level with a big team.

#3 Zhou Guanyu

Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas were replaced at Sauber by Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg. Bottas was signed by Mercedes as their reserve driver, and Zhou was signed by Ferrari as their reserve driver. While Bottas has greater experience as an F1 driver, Zhou has previously been a part of the Ferrari academy and can play the role of the supporting driver at the Italian stable.

Edited by Rupesh