Hamilton Dismisses Ferrari Exit Rumors: 'I Have a Pretty Long Contract'

Lewis Hamilton is firmly shutting down rumors about his future at Ferrari, emphasizing that his "pretty long contract" means he's not worried about being replaced. Despite a challenging debut season with the Scuderia, where he's still chasing his first podium, the seven-time world champion remains committed to the project.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's move to Ferrari was one of the most anticipated transfers in F1 history. Speculation about his early departure, even if unfounded, highlights the intense pressure and high expectations placed on both the driver and the team. His resolute statement reaffirms his dedication and aims to stabilize the team's focus amid a period of rebuilding and adaptation, particularly as Ferrari gears up for significant regulatory changes in 2026.

The details:

• Contract Clarity: Hamilton explicitly stated that he is far from needing to negotiate a new deal, citing a "pretty long contract." This directly counters recent paddock whispers suggesting Ferrari might be looking for alternatives.
• Performance Context: Hamilton is yet to secure a podium finish with Ferrari after 20 races in the 2025 F1 season, with four races still remaining. This performance gap from initial expectations has fueled the speculative narrative.
• Praise for Bearman: When asked about Ferrari Academy talent Oliver Bearman – who recently impressed with a fourth-place finish for Haas in Mexico City and has been linked to future Ferrari drives – Hamilton offered high praise.
  • He described Bearman's performance as "amazing" and commended his progress and approachability.
  • Despite the speculation, Hamilton did not express any feeling of threat from the young driver's success.
• Current Focus: Hamilton's immediate priority is extracting more performance from his current SF-25 car and preparing for the major regulation changes in the 2026 season, rather than future contract discussions.

What's next:

Hamilton's commitment signals his intent to see through the Ferrari project, which is currently undergoing a significant restructuring. His focus will be on working with the team to improve their current performance and, more critically, to prepare for the 2026 regulations, which are expected to reshuffle the competitive order. Resolving the SF-25's performance issues and building a strong foundation for the future will be key to silencing any further speculation and delivering on the championship aspirations that brought him to Maranello.