Bernie Ecclestone Names Gabriel Bortoleto Potential Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Successor

Lewis Hamilton's 2025 season at Ferrari has been challenging, marked by a lack of podium finishes and a significant points deficit compared to teammate Charles Leclerc, with team principal Fred Vasseur attributing the struggles partly to underestimating the cultural shift Hamilton faced moving from Mercedes to Ferrari. Despite Hamilton's efforts and occasional strong performances, such as a sprint race win in China, bad luck and Ferrari's inherent car issues have contributed to his difficulties, leading to speculation about his future and suggestions that Ferrari should consider a replacement. Bernie Ecclestone has proposed Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, a promising Brazilian driver, as an ideal successor to Hamilton, highlighting Bortoleto's impressive rookie season and the historical Ferrari-Sauber relationship, although Bortoleto is currently tied to the Audi group through 2026. Ecclestone also mentioned Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar as another potential candidate for Ferrari's driver seat. Hamilton's contract runs through 2026 with an option for another year, but the ongoing challenges and internal team dynamics continue to fuel debate about the best path forward for Ferrari's driver lineup.