Could Lewis Hamilton return to McLaren in 2028? British Formula 1 journalist Peter Windsor believes a reunion with his former team could be a realistic possibility if the seven-time world champion becomes increasingly frustrated with his situation at Ferrari. With tensions between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc attracting attention in recent weeks, questions are emerging about the British driver’s long-term future at Maranello.
The difficult relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc has been one of Ferrari’s main talking points since the Mexican Grand Prix, where the two drivers missed out on what had appeared to be a certain one-two finish. Although the Ferrari teammates subsequently met for discussions at Interlagos, the controversy surrounding their rivalry has continued to generate debate.
Lewis Hamilton has been pushing for a clearer hierarchy within Ferrari, reportedly seeking recognition as the team’s number one driver. However, team principal Fred Vasseur appears unwilling to abandon his approach of treating both drivers equally, while Ferrari’s senior management has reportedly been unhappy with some of the seven-time world champion’s public comments.
Lewis Hamilton has already been confirmed as a Ferrari driver for 2027, but the question is how much longer the current situation can continue and whether the British driver might consider a different challenge beyond that season.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari tensions: How the controversy developed
During the press conference at Interlagos, Lewis Hamilton once again criticised Charles Leclerc’s approach to racing. Asked whether he believed his teammate was tougher on him than on other drivers, the British driver replied:
“Yes. I see what you see. In Singapore, he had the inside at Turn 1, wheel to wheel [with Verstappen at the start] for the lead, and he lifted off the throttle. But the same thing happened with his teammates, with Sebastian [Vettel] and with Carlos [Sainz].”
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion also reiterated that he would not allow himself to be silenced, underlining his determination to express his concerns about the situation within Ferrari.
On Friday evening, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc finally held their much-anticipated face-to-face meeting, with Fred Vasseur acting as mediator. According to Rosario Giuliana, Lewis Hamilton reportedly demanded to be recognised as Ferrari’s leading driver during the discussions, pointing to his higher position in the Drivers’ Championship standings.
However, Fred Vasseur has repeatedly rejected the possibility of establishing such a hierarchy. The disagreement has contributed to wider questions about Lewis Hamilton’s position within Ferrari and the team’s internal balance.
Ferrari’s senior management is far from satisfied with the internal rivalry, while company chairman John Elkann was reportedly particularly displeased by Lewis Hamilton’s comments on Thursday.
There is also another consideration for Ferrari’s future driver line-up. The Italian team must find a way to secure a full-time Formula 1 seat for Ferrari Driver Academy graduate Oliver Bearman in 2028 if it wants to avoid the possibility of the young British driver leaving its development programme to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
Peter Windsor criticises both Ferrari drivers over their rivalry
Speaking on the Cameron CC podcast, British journalist Peter Windsor shared his assessment of the rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, criticising both Ferrari drivers for different reasons.
Peter Windsor challenged Lewis Hamilton’s suggestion that Charles Leclerc races more aggressively against his teammates than against his rivals, referring to the Monegasque driver’s overtaking move on Liam Lawson at Interlagos.
“Leclerc has always been a dirty driver and he always will be. And everybody knew that, except Lewis Hamilton, apparently. When he signed for Ferrari, did he think Leclerc would drive like him and never do anything unsporting?” the British journalist said.
Peter Windsor then questioned why Lewis Hamilton had waited until this stage of his Ferrari career to raise the issue.
“He should have said those things the day after signing his contract with Ferrari. If he had said it then, it would have made perfect sense, but it makes no sense to say it now.”
The comments add another perspective to the debate surrounding Ferrari’s management of its two drivers. The different approaches of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have become an increasingly prominent subject, with their performances and results also reflected in the Charles Leclerc versus Lewis Hamilton season-long statistics.
Could Lewis Hamilton return to McLaren in 2028? Peter Windsor’s prediction
Looking beyond the current tensions at Ferrari, Peter Windsor believes Lewis Hamilton could have an alternative to retirement if his frustration with the Italian team and his relationship with Charles Leclerc continues to grow.
In particular, the British journalist suggested that McLaren could attempt to bring Lewis Hamilton back to the team where he began his Formula 1 career, potentially offering him the opportunity to become its leading driver.
“The moment he said that [he’s had enough and wants to retire], I suspect Zak Brown would immediately be on the phone saying: ‘Lewis, two-year contract, McLaren, easy team to manage, Oscar in the other car, Lando in the other car, whatever it is,'” Peter Windsor explained.
The suggestion raises the possibility of Lewis Hamilton returning to McLaren after his Ferrari adventure, although Peter Windsor’s comments remain a hypothetical scenario rather than confirmation of any negotiations or concrete plans.
Peter Windsor continued:
“I think Lewis will go back to McLaren if he really doesn’t want to race for Ferrari anymore. What I’m saying is that I don’t think the Ferrari scenario would necessarily force him into retirement. It could simply open the door to a possible return to McLaren.”
Such a move would represent another major chapter in Lewis Hamilton’s Formula 1 career. The British driver made his debut with McLaren in 2007 and won his first World Championship with the team in 2008 before joining Mercedes in 2013.
For now, however, Lewis Hamilton remains committed to Ferrari for 2027, and there is no indication that McLaren has made an offer. Peter Windsor’s theory instead highlights how the ongoing debate over Ferrari’s driver hierarchy could eventually influence discussions about the seven-time world champion’s future.
Why Peter Windsor rules out a Mercedes return for Lewis Hamilton
While Peter Windsor sees a possible route back to McLaren, he does not believe Lewis Hamilton would consider returning to Mercedes, where he won six of his seven Formula 1 World Championships.
“I can’t imagine him going back to Mercedes, or fitting into that team. But I do think he could go back to McLaren, because it’s a different team. That’s where he started. Going back to them, Rwanda, all of that. Zak would love it. So I think it could happen.”
The British journalist’s assessment leaves McLaren as his preferred hypothetical destination for Lewis Hamilton should the Ferrari partnership eventually come to an end.
In the meantime, Ferrari must continue managing the relationship between its two drivers. Fred Vasseur has already described the discussions between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at Interlagos as positive, suggesting that the team has made progress towards resolving their differences.
Whether that progress proves lasting remains to be seen. Lewis Hamilton’s immediate future is with Ferrari, but Peter Windsor believes the seven-time world champion could still have another option in Formula 1 if his time at Maranello does not unfold as he hopes.
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