Senior figures at Ferrari have reportedly made up their minds in relation to Lewis Hamilton’s contract after the Englishman’s disappointing first season with The Scuderia.
When Hamilton left Mercedes for Ferrari ahead of the 2025 F1 campaign, his move was met with excitement from members of the F1 community, including fans and the media.
However, at least so far, his time with the Italian manufacturer has not gone anywhere near as well as the seven-time F1 champion would’ve liked, as he is currently sixth in the standings on 146 points ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix, having failed to win a race or achieve a single podium.
The Englishman claimed victory in the first Sprint of the 2025 campaign at the Chinese Grand Prix in March.
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Still, his “dream” of driving for Ferrari has been more like a nightmare so far.
As things stand, a three-way battle for F1 glory is on heading into the final four races – in Brazil, Las Vegas, Doha and Abu Dhabi - of the season, with McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, as well as defending champion Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, all vying for the championship.
Just 36 points separate Norris in first (357 points), Piastri in second (356) and Verstappen in third (321), while Mercedes driver George Russell (258) and Hamilton’s Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc (210) make up the top five.
Hamilton did show signs of improvement at the Mexican Grand Prix as he took third in qualifying but was hit with a 10-second penalty when competing with Verstappen before eventually finishing eighth after cutting across Turn 4.
ESPN have since reported that ‘senior paddock figures’ have suggested that the seven-time F1 champion will not be offered another Ferrari contract once his current deal expires following the 2026 campaign – although this has not been confirmed by the team or Hamilton.
Effectively, this would make Hamilton a free agent ahead of the 2027 campaign.
Sky Sports then reported that British driver Oliver Bearman, who finished fourth for Haas in Mexico on Sunday, should get the next available seat at Ferrari.
The 20-year-old was signed to the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2021 but was loaned to Haas on a multi-year deal ahead of the current season.
"The moment that there's a seat at Ferrari for whatever reason, then Bearman should be in it as far as I'm concerned,” Sky Sports reporter Martin Brundle said after watching Bearman in Mexico City.
“I think he's outstanding and he's learning fast, and he's making the most of his opportunity."
Topics: Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Formula 1, Motorsport
Luke Davies