Ferrari ‘plotting shock McLaren swoop’ as Lewis Hamilton succession plan emerges
Fred Vasseur is reportedly monitoring the McLaren driver situation as Ferrari consider their 2027 options with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s futures uncertain
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(Image: Zak Mauger, LAT Imagesvia Getty Images)
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur is reportedly monitoring the driver dynamics at McLaren to assess whether Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri might become available for the 2027 season. Zak Brown’s gifted pair are being considered as potential replacements for Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc.
Both Hamilton and Leclerc’s long-term prospects are under scrutiny as the sport prepares for the inaugural season under fresh technical regulations in 2026, albeit for different reasons. The British driver has sparked retirement speculation amongst experts, though it’s understood he possesses contractual options that could extend his Maranello stay through 2027.
Leclerc, meanwhile, is approaching his peak years and remains secured by a lengthy deal. Nevertheless, the Monaco native has been rumoured to be considering a move to Mercedes, and worryingly branded the 2026 campaign as “now or never” for his Ferrari team.
According to Autosport Web Japan, Vasseur is closely watching developments at McLaren. Whilst both Norris and Piastri are bound by extended contracts, the Australian’s circumstances could shift in 2026 following his failure to clinch the 2025 Drivers’ Championship ahead of his teammate.
The report additionally mentions Oliver Bearman as a possibility, whilst Vasseur has his sights set on Rafael Camara, who will seek to emulate recent consecutive F3 and F2 champions Gabriel Bortoleto and Leonardo Fornaroli when he competes with Invicta Racing. Bearman has distinguished himself as a future star in his first full year in F1.
The racer from Essex earned points on his debut with Ferrari in Jeddah in 2024, and built on his substitute appearances with a solid first season with Haas, finishing 13th in the standings and achieving his team’s best-ever result with a P4 finish in Mexico City.
The 20 year old’s contract is set to expire at the end of 2026, and if his career continues on its current path, Vasseur could face a selection headache in a year’s time. For his part, Bearman feels he’s ready for the promotion.
“Well, you know, I’m in F1, and you have to back yourself,” he stated last year. “So yes, I believe I’m ready, but I have to continue to prove that,” Bearman said regarding a potential promotion to Ferrari. It’s not as if a handful of good races suddenly change everything.
“But it’s also easy to forget that in the middle of the season, I had a streak of four or five eleventh-place finishes in a row. So that was also consistent – just not quite good enough. And we’ve improved our car performance since then.
“So that 11th place turns into a 10th, a ninth, an eighth, and that’s better received by everyone. So yeah, I’ve definitely improved, particularly since the summer break. I found a really good rhythm and momentum, and of course, I would say that I’m ready.”
