Second Thoughts? Ferrari Reluctant Over Lewis Hamilton Contract Extension, Says Report

Last Updated:October 31, 2025, 12:41 IST

Reports suggest that the Italian team might be hesitant to extend Hamilton's contract beyond its current term, which binds him to Ferrari until the end of the 2026 season.

Lewis Hamilton. (Picture credit: AP)

Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time World Champion, is still pursuing his first race win with Ferrari since his much-publicized move ahead of the current season. Reports suggest that the Italian team might be hesitant to extend Hamilton’s contract beyond its current term, which binds him to Ferrari until the end of the 2026 season.

Hamilton has struggled to secure a podium finish in the renowned red car, and early indications suggest Ferrari could be considering a move for rising star Oliver Bearman.

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Enduring a challenging debut season with Ferrari, Hamilton expressed a desire to rediscover his joy for racing earlier this year. While he won a sprint race in China in March, he has yet to achieve a podium finish in a grand prix for Ferrari, with both he and the team facing issues with the car’s setup. Ferrari’s inability to consistently compete with McLaren for the title has intensified scrutiny on Hamilton and the team.

As teams begin to shift their attention to the significant regulation changes coming in 2026, Hamilton emphasized the need to return to the exhilarating fundamentals of being an F1 driver for Ferrari. He also expressed a desire to avoid the struggles faced by Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel during their challenging times at Ferrari.

Hamilton is currently sixth in the championship standings with 146 points, while McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri lead with 357 and 356 points, respectively. Max Verstappen holds third place with 321 points, Mercedes’ George Russell is fourth with 258 points, and Hamilton’s Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc is fifth with 210 points.

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