The clock may be ticking on Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari career following team-mate Charles Leclerc’s new contract extension. And it once again raises questions about what supporters of the Scuderia can anticipate from Hamilton in the years ahead.
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion is tied to Maranello until the conclusion of the 2027 campaign. Yet Hamilton is understood to hold an option to prolong that arrangement through to the end of 2028, with that decision reportedly under his own control.
The 41-year-old’s debut season in Italy proved somewhat calamitous as he failed to secure a single podium and finished sixth in the drivers’ standings. He’s already surpassed that tally with two podium finishes so far in 2026 and currently occupies fourth spot in the drivers’ championship, trailing Leclerc by just three points.
Most supporters would have correctly anticipated keeping Leclerc on board would remain a top priority for Ferrari’s decision-makers. And that certainly seems to be the situation following confirmation of a fresh multi-year agreement, suggesting Hamilton might well be viewed as the ‘No. 2’ driver at Maranello.
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Nevertheless, the matter of who lines up alongside him in future seasons will prove the more urgent concern as Ollie Bearman’s name comes into consideration. Bearman, 21, has long been touted to claim a seat at Maranello, though the more established figures of Leclerc and now Hamilton cloud the picture as to when that opportunity might arise.
When questioned about the Ferrari speculation and his own ambitions, Bearman said recently: “For me of course I’m contracted to Ferrari, they’ve put trust in me since the very beginning, so it’s natural that my ultimate target is to be with them.
“At the moment the goal is to continue building with Haas, I’m super happy with the trajectory that we’re on. So no timeline, no problems. I think the end of this year is important because a lot of people are having their contracts ending, so I think everyone wanted to see how the pecking order was in 2026 and that will then determine what 2027 looks like.”
This week’s announcement makes abundantly clear just how highly Leclerc is valued by his superiors in Italy. And it’s evident the manufacturer will continue to depend on him to spearhead their efforts in pursuit of bringing Ferrari a first world championship since 2007.
“Charles has been part of the Ferrari family for many years now and this renewal feels like something very natural for us,” said team principal Frederic Vasseur in response to Leclerc’s extension. “Over these seasons we have seen him grow, to become not only one of the strongest drivers in Formula 1, but also a person who is completely at one with the team and everything Ferrari represents.”
“We appreciate his talent, we love his determination and the way he approaches every day with the people in the Scuderia, both on and off the track. We know how much this project means to him and we are happy to continue working towards our shared goals.”
Bearman, who is currently making his mark at Haas, has been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy since 2022 and has already logged time with the Italians as a reserve driver. He sits ninth in the F1 championship and has delivered three top-10 finishes from four completed races this season, while team-mate Esteban Ocon languishes down in 16th.
That said, Hamilton’s recent upturn in form complicates the situation given Ferrari are now second only to Mercedes, who appear streets ahead of their rivals. After all, the Briton’s runner-up result at the Canadian Grand Prix stands as Ferrari’s best return of the campaign so far, with Hamilton suddenly delivering the calibre of performances anticipated when he joined.
If this truly marks the beginning of a fresh chapter following 2025’s bedding-in phase, Ferrari might be prepared to gamble on losing Bearman in a bid to discover just how far they can progress with Hamilton. Nevertheless, the veteran must maintain his recent purple patch if he’s to fend off the mounting challenge from Haas’ rising star.
