Ferrari’s 2026 car will shape the future: the key clause linked to Lewis Hamilton’s 2027 contract. Ferrari’s 2026 car will be crucial for the future of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

The new Ferrari will determine the team’s future: there is a ‘clause’ involving Lewis Hamilton’s 2027 contract

The competitiveness of the new Ferrari will play a decisive role in shaping the long-term future of the Scuderia from Maranello. A key detail has emerged regarding the contract of Lewis Hamilton for the 2027 season, a sort of clause that places the seven-time World Champion in a position that is not entirely comfortable.

If Ferrari wants to keep Charles Leclerc, the team will need to hit the track in 2026 with a genuinely competitive car. The Maranello squad reportedly has some options linked to Lewis Hamilton’s contract for 2027 — effectively functioning as a clause — that gives Ferrari control over the situation rather than the British driver himself.

As previously reported by authoritative sources, Charles Leclerc is firmly on Aston Martin’s radar, and both McLaren and Mercedes are monitoring the situation in the background. The Monegasque driver has already met with key figures from other teams to explore possibilities in case Ferrari starts 2026 on the wrong foot. The next car must be capable of winning, and the driver of car number 16 has made that abundantly clear: the Maranello team needs to prove what it is capable of “now or never.”

Even Frédéric Vasseur could find himself under pressure if the Italian side falls behind at the start of the new regulatory cycle. Meanwhile, new information has surfaced regarding what Lewis Hamilton’s future could look like heading into 2027.

The Briton has no options, Ferrari holds the power for 2027

About a month ago, Andrew Benson of the BBC revealed the probable contract timelines of Ferrari’s two drivers. The seven-time World Champion is expected to complete his stint with the team at the end of 2027. Charles Leclerc, on the other hand, reportedly has a “longer contract,” as also mentioned by the Italian website AutoRacer.it, running until 2029.

Naturally, Charles Leclerc could still free himself through exit clauses if the 2026 Ferrari is not capable of fighting for a world title. In Lewis Hamilton’s case, however, the Italian outlet highlighted a particularly interesting detail: Ferrari can exercise a contract option on the British driver, but Lewis Hamilton himself does not possess a similar right.

This means the Briton cannot make the first move, and for now, there are no offers on the table for him. Next season, he will need to prove he is still performing at the highest level. Otherwise, if Ferrari decides to promote Oliver Bearman into his seat for 2027, Lewis Hamilton could be forced into retirement or end his career with a backmarker team. Many scenarios could unfold from this situation.

The engineers led by Loïc Serra now have one clear mission: do everything possible to ensure that Ferrari returns to fighting for world championships under the new regulations. The 678 project will also introduce significant technical revolutions, especially in the area of suspension design.