Speculation surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s long-term Formula 1 future has taken another interesting turn, with former F1 driver Martin Brundle suggesting the Ferrari driver may hold even greater control over his future than previously understood.
According to Martin Brundle, Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari agreement may include a personal option that would allow the seven-time world champion to extend his stay with the Scuderia into the 2028 Formula 1 season, potentially keeping the British driver in red for longer than many had anticipated.
Lewis Hamilton’s current Ferrari deal is publicly understood to run through the end of the 2027 Formula 1 campaign. However, if Martin Brundle’s understanding is accurate, Ferrari may not hold the decisive power over what happens next. Instead, the decision could rest entirely in Lewis Hamilton’s hands.
Lewis Hamilton pushes back against retirement speculation
Since making the blockbuster move to Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton has remained one of the most heavily scrutinised figures in Formula 1. A difficult opening phase with the Maranello team inevitably fuelled questions about whether the partnership had arrived too late, with some prominent voices openly suggesting retirement should be considered.
However, the picture in 2026 looks significantly different.
Lewis Hamilton appears increasingly comfortable with Ferrari’s current machinery, showing much stronger adaptation than during the previous generation of Formula 1 cars. His podium finish at the Chinese Grand Prix offered an early indication that the partnership may finally be moving in the right direction, while recent weekends have suggested improved confidence and competitiveness.
Speaking during Sky Sports F1 coverage, Martin Brundle suggested that the shift in Lewis Hamilton’s body language has been impossible to miss.
Martin Brundle indicated that the Briton appears to enjoy this generation of Formula 1 cars considerably more than the previous ground-effect era. In his assessment, the Ferrari driver looks more relaxed, more confident, and noticeably happier than he did over the past one or two seasons.
At the same time, Martin Brundle acknowledged that Lewis Hamilton continues to face a serious benchmark inside the Maranello team, with Charles Leclerc delivering consistently strong performances on the other side of the garage.
Ferrari contract could include a 2028 extension option
The discussion emerged after Lewis Hamilton addressed questions about his future during media activities ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, where the British driver made it clear that he has no intention of stepping away from Formula 1 in the near future.
Martin Brundle suggested his understanding is that Lewis Hamilton holds a unilateral option for the 2028 Formula 1 season, meaning the extension could be activated entirely at the driver’s discretion if he chooses to remain with Ferrari.
If accurate, that would significantly reshape the conversation around the British driver’s Ferrari future, particularly given how persistent retirement rumours have become.
Martin Brundle interpreted Lewis Hamilton’s recent comments as a direct response to those calling for the seven-time world champion to step aside. In his view, Lewis Hamilton remains deeply engaged not only with Formula 1 competition itself, but also with the wider lifestyle and opportunities that come with being one of the sport’s most recognisable figures.
That broader picture matters.
Lewis Hamilton has consistently balanced elite-level racing with fashion, business interests, charitable work, and cultural projects away from the paddock. Rather than appearing like a driver preparing to slow down, he increasingly looks like someone who has rediscovered a healthier balance between competition and life beyond Formula 1.
Charles Leclerc remains Ferrari’s internal benchmark
Any long-term Ferrari future for Lewis Hamilton will, of course, remain closely tied to performance.
Charles Leclerc continues to represent one of the toughest teammate comparisons anywhere on the grid. The Monegasque driver remains deeply embedded within Ferrari’s technical structure and has consistently extracted strong pace from the SF-26, even during difficult weekends.
That internal competition could ultimately become the defining factor in whether Lewis Hamilton chooses to trigger any future contract extension clause.
For now, though, the message appears increasingly clear: despite the speculation, Lewis Hamilton is not preparing an exit. If anything, Ferrari’s most famous modern signing may still be thinking longer-term.
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