Ferrari have secured the services of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who will join Charles Leclerc in their driver lineup for the 2025 Formula 1 season. However, it might not be long before the Scuderia finds itself back in the driver market.
Charles Leclerc, who has been a fixture at Ferrari since 2019, is a product of the team’s renowned driver academy and has become a beloved figure among the Tifosi, who consider him one of their own. Unless Ferrari experiences a significant downturn in performance or Charles Leclerc’s relationship with the team deteriorates, it seems likely that he will remain with the Scuderia for the prime years of his career. The uncertainty, however, revolves primarily around Hamilton’s future.
Much of the speculation surrounding Hamilton’s tenure at Ferrari is tied to his advancing age. Set to turn 40 during the off-season, Hamilton’s longevity in Formula 1 remains in question. While Fernando Alonso plans to race until at least the age of 45, Hamilton may not follow suit, and his decision to continue could depend on a variety of factors. Additionally, Lewis Hamilton arrives at Ferrari needing to prove that his best years are not behind him. His performance this season has been notably disappointing, particularly in qualifying, where he trails teammate George Russell by a considerable margin of 17-5 heading into the final two races.
The reasons for Lewis Hamilton’s struggles remain unclear. It’s possible that the current generation of Formula 1 cars and the distinctive characteristics of his Mercedes no longer align with his driving style, or he could be grappling with a lack of confidence. Regardless, these challenges raise concerns among his supporters, casting doubt on his ability to maintain his elite status.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz’s future with Ferrari may have been compromised by his actions during the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The team has made the decision to part ways with Carlos Sainz at the end of his contract in December to make room for Hamilton. However, this move should not be seen as a reflection of Carlos Sainz’s performance, but rather as a result of the rare opportunity to sign one of Formula 1’s most successful drivers. There remains a possibility that Carlos Sainz could return to Ferrari in the future, but his next move will be crucial to maintaining his value within the sport. The Spaniard, who currently earns £9.6 million per year, will need to impress in his next role, potentially with Williams, in order to keep his career trajectory on the rise.
Despite this, Motorsport.com journalists Alex Kalinauckas and Oleg Karpov have raised concerns that Carlos Sainz’s relationship with Ferrari might have been strained. At the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz appeared to ignore team orders when he overtook Charles Leclerc at the start of the final stint, a move that could have repercussions for his future with the team. Alex Kalinauckas suggests that this could jeopardize any potential return to Ferrari, while Karpov believes Carlos Sainz has made his situation more complicated. Ferrari may choose not to consider him for future opportunities if he leaves the team under a cloud of tension, so Carlos Sainz would be wise to mend any rifts with Leclerc before the season concludes in Abu Dhabi.
A key element of Lewis Hamilton’s contract with Ferrari could shed light on his future plans within the sport. Despite Russell’s superior performance this season, Red Bull’s Helmut Marko believes Hamilton will still be an upgrade over Carlos Sainz. Marko is particularly curious to see how Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, manages to maintain harmony within the team, given the challenges posed by having two highly competitive drivers.
Lewis Hamilton’s performance in the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where he fought back from a disappointing P10 in qualifying to secure a podium finish, demonstrated that he still possesses the ability to compete at the highest level when provided with a competitive car.
The British driver’s initial contract with Ferrari is for two years, with the possibility of a third if both parties agree to extend the deal. This arrangement leaves open the option for Hamilton to reassess his future with the team and Formula 1 in general. With the new technical regulations already in place, Lewis Hamilton will have the opportunity to evaluate Ferrari’s progress and Fred Vasseur will need to determine whether the British driver still has the desire and ability to race at the top level. While Hamilton has not publicly committed to a specific retirement date, 2026 or 2027 are the most likely windows for his exit from the sport.
