Ferrari Academy Driver Oliver Bearman has said that Lewis Hamilton will bring a “winning mentality” to the Scuderia’s efforts for the 2025 Formula 1 season and beyond.
The story of the F1 pre-season was Hamilton’s announcement he will sever ties with Mercedes at the end of the year to embark on a multi-year odyssey in red, starting in 2025.
Bearman, meanwhile has already enjoyed several years with Ferrari as a member of its Academy and made his F1 debut with the Italian marque at this year’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The British teenager’s reserve driver duties for Ferrari and Haas has earned him a full-season call-up with the latter for next year and Bearman is looking forward to working under the Ferrari banner with Hamilton.
“I think he will bring a lot of experience to the team,” Bearman told Sky Sports.
“He has won seven world championships, something that not many can boast.
“He will bring a good mentality to the team, a winning mentality, and his talent is undeniable. He is one of the best ever.
“It is fantastic that he can share his experience with me. I hope to learn a lot from him and I hope that Ferrari does too, because I think he will be a valuable asset for the team.”
Asked whether he’d been approached to mentor Bearman next year, Hamilton said: “No, no, I’ve not been asked to and it’s not even been a thought.
“I don’t think [Bearman] needs [it]. I think he’s a sharp enough lad.
“And I think, I mean, naturally, as one of the older drivers here, my door’s always open if anyone ever has a question or any advice that’s needed.”
Hamilton will line up alongside Charles Leclerc in 2025 and beyond, forming one of the most formidable driver pairings in Formula 1.
Leclerc has received the news that Hamilton will join him in red positively and believes the signing of the seven-time World Champion will help attract more names to Maranello.
“Roping in a driver like Lewis Hamilton is a strong signal,” Leclerc told the Italian arm of Motorsport.com.
“I saw it as a positive choice, starting with the fact that Lewis could facilitate the arrival of very talented people to the team.”
Ferrari has already acquired former Mercedes Head of Vehicle Performance Loic Serra with the Frenchman set to join the team in October as Head of Chassis Performance Engineering and potentially Technical Director.
It has been reported that Serra’s departure from Mercedes played a big hand in Hamilton wanting to head to Italy and time will tell if more names follow the Briton from Brackley to Maranello.
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