After John Elkann’s comments and the tensions in Brazil, the BBC examines the situation at Maranello: between mistakes, technical disappointments, and secure contracts, Ferrari’s future seems set at least until 2027.
During a period of intense internal pressure, with John Elkann’s criticisms still fresh after the double retirement in Brazil, the situation at Ferrari continues to generate discussion. However, according to Andrew Benson’s analysis for the BBC, the Maranello team has little room for a short-term ‘driver revolution’: Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s contracts are too long and secure to consider changes before 2027.
Hamilton’s challenging season
Hamilton, who joined Ferrari at the start of the season with the ambition of finishing his career with a final major project, has instead faced a year full of difficulties. In Brazil, the British driver endured another complicated weekend: qualifying only thirteenth, he was hit by Carlos Sainz at the first corner and later damaged his front wing in a collision with Franco Colapinto’s Alpine. After the race, he did not hide his frustration.
“This is a nightmare, and I’ve been living it for a while,” he admitted, adding: “I believe there is something extraordinary ahead of me, in my destiny. I still believe in this team and what we can achieve together.”
Contract timelines
According to the BBC, Lewis Hamilton has shown some signs of improvement: since the summer break, his average qualifying gap to Charles Leclerc dropped to 0.099 seconds, down from 0.128 at the start of the year. Yet it remains clear that the British driver struggles to adapt to the current generation of cars, which are too far removed from his driving style, characterized by aggressive braking and decisive corner entries.
Benson highlights that Hamilton is hopeful for the new 2026 regulations, believing the upcoming cars may suit his style better. In any case, Hamilton’s contract with Ferrari — confirmed by the journalist — is a three-year agreement running until 2027, and the driver has indicated that talks for a potential renewal are still far off.
As for Charles Leclerc, the BBC reiterates that Ferrari has never officially disclosed the length of his deal, but most reports suggest a contract running until 2029, with some early exit options. The Monegasque driver, despite frustration over the team’s technical struggles, remains the cornerstone of Maranello’s sporting project.
Both drivers, despite growing pressure and tensions with management, have reaffirmed their long-term commitment. Behind them, interest in young talents like Oliver Bearman continues to grow, with the British driver increasingly close to Ferrari. However, according to Benson, any real ‘driver change’ is unlikely before 2027.
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