Ferrari reportedly could pay off Lewis Hamilton if 2026 mirrors 2025 struggles
Lewis Hamilton is widely reported to be under contract with Ferrari until the conclusion of the 2027 season, although the Scuderia have never officially confirmed the terms of the deal he signed when moving from Mercedes. Sources in the F1 paddock suggest that Hamilton’s agreement spans three years, extending beyond his 42nd birthday, and, as is standard in Formula 1 contracts, includes exit clauses hidden in the fine print.
While an immediate departure at the end of 2025 remains highly unlikely, the scenario could shift dramatically if Ferrari’s 2026 campaign repeats the challenges of 2025. The seven-time world champion has yet to claim a podium in the 2025 season and has struggled to maintain any consistent competitive momentum, leaving the Scuderia and fans questioning the partnership’s long-term viability.
Oliver Bearman poised as Lewis Hamilton’s eventual Ferrari successor
Renowned F1 journalist Ted Kravitz has suggested that Ferrari academy prospect Oliver Bearman is being groomed to eventually replace Hamilton. If Ollie Bearman demonstrates a significant leap in performance during his second year and Hamilton continues to struggle with adapting to Ferrari’s machinery, the pressure on team management to act could intensify significantly.
Ferrari could pay Hamilton to exit early
In the unlikely but realistic scenario where Ferrari decides to part ways with Hamilton before 2027, the team would almost certainly have to buy out the remainder of his contract. Historical precedents exist in F1 for such high-profile pay-offs. In 2022, McLaren paid Daniel Ricciardo close to £24 million to terminate his contract early, enabling them to sign Oscar Piastri. Ricciardo temporarily left the grid before eventually joining AlphaTauri, while Sergio Perez’s contract with Red Bull was also terminated early, costing the team £11 million.
German publication Bild reports that similar discussions have circulated in the F1 paddock regarding Hamilton. Ferrari previously paid Kimi Räikkönen a substantial severance in 2009 to make way for Fernando Alonso, suggesting that the Scuderia has a history of settling high-value contracts to secure strategic driver changes.
Potential cost of paying off Hamilton
According to German news media outlet Bild, Lewis Hamilton could be entitled to receive his full salary for the remaining term of his Ferrari contract, or the team might negotiate a reduced sum. The Briton reportedly earns £55 million annually, which, while substantial, would not surpass the largest severance packages in F1 history. For comparison, Christian Horner received £80 million from Red Bull after being released with four years remaining on his contract. Horner accepted a lower payout in exchange for the ability to return to Formula 1 in a new capacity.
Looking ahead: can Hamilton bounce back?
Despite widespread skepticism in the F1 paddock about Lewis Hamilton’s long-term future at Ferrari, the driver himself remains hopeful. Many believe that the end of the current ground-effect era in 2026 could give the Briton the opportunity to rediscover the pace and dominance that defined his Mercedes years. Should he manage to consistently perform at the level glimpsed during peak moments in 2025, the narrative surrounding his Ferrari tenure could be rewritten entirely.
With speculation mounting and historical precedents for early contract terminations in Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari career hangs in the balance. The coming season could be decisive both for the seven-time world champion and for the Maranello team’s long-term strategic planning in the drivers’ market.
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