Lewis Hamilton joined Ferrari from Mercedes forward of the 2025 Formulation 1 season, however the British driver has struggled to make an impression in his first yr with the Scuderia
Ferrari are reportedly not planning to increase Lewis Hamilton’s contract past its finish date in 2026, sparking hypothesis about the way forward for the British racing driver. Hamilton made the swap to Ferrari for the 2025 Formulation 1 season after 12 unimaginable years at Mercedes.
Nonetheless, along with his contract set to run out subsequent yr, uncertainty over his and Charles Leclerc’s futures has raised questions on their positions. ESPN reviews that senior figures within the paddock have claimed that the seven-time world champion is not going to be supplied a brand new contract by Ferrari, given his struggles to impress.
Ferrari might nicely change their place additional down the road, however for now, Hamilton’s present contract – believed to be value £ 50 million a yr – may very well be his final with the Prancing Horse.
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Hamilton will likely be 42 at the beginning of the 2027 season, an age at which no driver has received an F1 race since Jack Brabham in South Africa in 1970. Younger expertise Oliver Bearman is one driver who might doubtlessly exchange Hamilton at Ferrari after making his F1 debut final yr when he stepped in for Carlos Sainz.
The Brit has had a massively disappointing first season with Ferrari in F1 2025 and is presently with out a podium end for his new workforce after 20 races. The Hungarian Grand Prix in August was a selected low level as he failed to attain any factors for the primary time all season regardless of it being one in all his greatest tracks traditionally, reviews the Categorical.
Leclerc, whose contract additionally ends in 2026, is presently main the way in which for the Scuderia by 64 factors with 4 races left in 2025. There has, nevertheless, additionally been hypothesis about Leclerc’s future in latest weeks, with some reviews in Italy claiming the F1 star and his agent, Nicolas Todt, are critically contemplating a transfer elsewhere after 2026, when his deal expires.
Hypothesis about Leclerc’s future stays mere hypothesis, and a choice on what’s subsequent for him will doubtless hinge on how aggressive Ferrari are beneath the brand new laws coming into power subsequent yr.
ESPN’s report follows claims from Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport in August that Hamilton’s £50million-per-year deal consists of an possibility for him to increase his tenure till the top of 2027. Nonetheless, it stays unsure whether or not the 40-year-old would want to proceed past 2026.
Final month, he knowledgeable L’Equipe that he had “no intention” of retiring regardless of his difficulties in 2025. Hamilton additionally disclosed his eagerness to ship triumph to Ferrari and safe the world championship.
Hamilton presently sits sixth within the drivers’ championship, one place behind Leclerc. Nonetheless, he trails the Monégasque by 64 factors and a large 211 behind chief Lando Norris. There are 4 extra races left this season, beginning in Sao Paulo on November 9. Future races in Las Vegas, Lusail and Yas Marina will observe.
The Brit will likely be hoping for higher outcomes after a 10-second time penalty wrecked his race final day out in Mexico Metropolis, the place he completed eighth, behind each Mercedes drivers.
That end result meant he has nonetheless not recorded a top-three end since becoming a member of Ferrari and now faces ending his first-ever season in F1 with out a podium.
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