Lewis Hamilton set for potential Ferrari stay until 2028 as new contract details come to light. Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari contract could run until 2028 as new clauses emerge.

Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari future could stretch further than expected

The 2026 Formula 1 season is set to mark Lewis Hamilton’s second year with Ferrari, but new information emerging from within the paddock suggests his long-term future in Maranello could extend well beyond what was initially assumed. As Ferrari prepares for the biggest regulatory reset in modern Formula 1 history, the duration of Lewis Hamilton’s commitment to the Scuderia is becoming an increasingly important talking point.

Lewis Hamilton’s first campaign in red during the 2025 Formula 1 season proved far more challenging than many anticipated. The seven-time world champion finished the year a significant 86 points behind his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, ending the season without a single Grand Prix podium for the first time in his entire Formula 1 career. While sprint race performances offered brief encouragement, the overall picture highlighted how difficult the transition from Mercedes to Ferrari truly was.

After more than a decade with Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton arrived at Ferrari having spent years shaping cars, systems, and working methods around his own driving preferences. Relearning everything from power unit behaviour to car balance, internal processes, and engineering philosophy represented a profound adjustment. The SF-25 never consistently suited his strengths, forcing Lewis Hamilton into a prolonged adaptation phase rather than allowing him to immediately perform at his usual elite level.

Contract details hint at a longer Ferrari stay

Behind the scenes, Ferrari’s leadership has not been entirely unified in its assessment of the situation. Ferrari chairman John Elkann publicly expressed dissatisfaction with feedback coming from both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc regarding the SF-25, even as team principal Fred Vasseur moved quickly to shield his drivers from external pressure. That protective stance may be partly explained by newly revealed contractual details.

According to a report from German outlet Bild, Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari contract is more complex than initially disclosed. While Ferrari officially announced a “multi-year” agreement, sources now suggest that the deal is locked in until the end of the 2027 Formula 1 season. Crucially, the contract reportedly includes a unilateral option that would allow Lewis Hamilton to extend his stay with Ferrari through the 2028 season if he chooses to do so.

Internally, Ferrari are said to view this clause as a sensitive issue, particularly given Lewis Hamilton’s struggles during the 2025 campaign when compared directly to Charles Leclerc. Team insiders reportedly acknowledge that the seven-time F1 world champion faced criticism for his on-track results, even if the broader context of adaptation and car limitations is fully understood within the factory.

Financially, the situation further complicates matters. It is believed Lewis Hamilton earned in excess of €100 million during 2025, with roughly half of that figure coming directly from his Ferrari contract and the remainder generated through sponsorships, image rights, and commercial partnerships. While Fred Vasseur strongly supported the decision to bring Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari, John Elkann is reportedly less convinced that the investment has paid off so far.

Ferrari walking a fine line ahead of the 2026 regulations

This leaves Ferrari facing a delicate balancing act heading into 2026. Should Lewis Hamilton fail to make a decisive step forward under the new regulations, the Scuderia could find itself tied to a costly long-term arrangement while results continue to fall short of expectations. At the same time, Charles Leclerc’s trajectory continues to trend upward, further sharpening internal comparisons.

Ferrari are aware that the 2026 Formula 1 regulations may represent Lewis Hamilton’s best opportunity to reset his competitive baseline. With the grid expected to converge rapidly once the new rules take effect, outright car performance advantages are likely to shrink. In that environment, driver quality, adaptability, and racecraft could once again become decisive factors.

The Scuderia is already taking steps designed to maximise the Briton’s chances of success. Development efforts are focused on closing the downforce gap to rivals such as McLaren and Red Bull, an area that has consistently limited Ferrari in recent seasons. In addition, Ferrari are evaluating cockpit and steering wheel changes for 2026 that more closely resemble the layouts Lewis Hamilton used during his most successful years at Mercedes, aiming to reduce cognitive load and improve instinctive decision-making.

If those changes unlock a resurgence in form and allow Lewis Hamilton to rediscover the speed and consistency that defined his championship-winning years, Ferrari would almost certainly welcome the activation of the 2028 extension clause. In that scenario, retaining a revitalised seven-time world champion could prove invaluable during the early phase of the new technical era.

However, if progress remains limited, the contract clause could be viewed internally as a strategic miscalculation. Ferrari’s 2026 season may therefore determine not only the immediate competitiveness of the Scuderia, but also the long-term futures of Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and the leadership structure guiding Ferrari into the next era of Formula 1.