Ferrari Lining Up Surprise Raid on Rival F1 Team for Driver After Impressive 2025 Season

Ferrari are reportedly considering bringing a surprise driver into their 2027 lineup after his impressive performances this year.

Following the Singapore Grand Prix, there are now just six race weekends left in the 2025 Formula One calendar, with the race for the drivers championship as tense as ever.

However, while some fans are focusing on McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris battling each other for the 2025 title, some have already started looking ahead to the future.

The 2026 season will bring about a huge wave of change across F1 as a new set of regulations could change which teams are at the top of the pack, while a new team and two new drivers join the grid.

But it appears that Ferrari are already looking even further ahead to 2027, as one report has claimed they've identified a surprise name as a driver they hope to recruit after next season.

Lewis Hamilton has previously teased he could leave Ferrari this season. Image: Clive Mason / Staff via Getty

After what has been a largely lacklustre first season at Ferrari for seven-time championship winner Lewis Hamilton, speculation around his future has been rife.

Although it was never expected that Ferrari would consider sacking the Brit, Hamilton himself regularly alluded to the fact that he could retire this season.

However, it now appears that the rumours have died down and it is widely expected that both Hamitlon and teammate Charles Leclerc will drive for Ferrari next year.

But according to a report from German outlet Blick, Ferrari have identified KICK Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto as an ideal appointment in 2027.

The Brazilian is currently set to drive for Audi, who will replace Sauber, next year alongside current teammate Nico Hulkenberg.

Gabriel Bortoleto has impressed in his debut F1 season. (Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Across his first season in Formula One, Bortoleto has impressed during the 2025 season, with many considering him to be the second best rookie this year, behind only Isack Hadjar.

Despite the fact that he is driving one of the worst cars on the grid, Bortoleto has scored 18 points so far this season, with his best performance being P6 during the Hunagrain Grand Prix in August.

Should Ferrari decide to pull the trigger and sign Bortoleto ahead of 2027, it's unclear who he would replace, but it seems most likely that Hamitlon would be the one to make way given the fact his current deal will expire at the end of the 2026 season.