Lewis Hamilton makes definitive statement on Ferrari future with key contract admission

Lewis Hamilton insists he does not need to begin talks with Ferrari over his future - because of the "pretty long contract" he already has. The seven-time World champion began racing for the Italian team this year after agreeing a money-spinning deal worth at least £50million per year in January 2024.

But this maiden season in red has not brought the success that he would have hoped for. A victory in his first Sprint race as a Ferrari driver remains one of very few highlights from a difficult campaign which has seen him fail to record a single podium finish in any of his 20 Grand Prix appearances to date.

Hamilton turns 41 in January and there has been plenty of speculation over his long-term future, particularly in recent weeks amid the strong form of Oliver Bearman. The young Brit has impressed for Haas in his last few outings and his fourth-placed finish in Mexico led to many suggesting the Ferrari academy graduate is ready to step up to the Scuderia when required.

But Hamilton insists he does not plan to vacate his seat any time soon. While Ferrari have never commented on the length of their superstar driver's contract, other than to say it is a multi-year arrangement, the Brit hinted ahead of this weekend's Sao Paulo Grand Prix that he has a deal in place for 2027.

Asked if he will seek to agree fresh terms with Ferrari any time soon, he replied: "I have a pretty long contract. Normally when you do a contract it is the year out that you start to talk about it, so I am a bit far from that point."

Bearman races for Haas in a loan-style arrangement and maintains close ties to Ferrari who are understood to be delighted with the progress the 20-year-old has made after a difficult first half of 2025. That Mexico performance was the clear highlight but Bearman went as far as to say his result was "lucky" as he dismissed the hype over his future.

The Essex racer said: "One weekend they're saying this, but then when the previous weekend doesn't go well, they're saying the opposite. The media like their headlines and stuff like that. Of course, it was a great weekend and I'm very happy to have done that, but I'm not really bothered about it.

"I just try to keep my head down, focus on continuing to have those good results and deliver good points for the team as well. It was a good weekend but I think we have to be realistic in saying that that's not... I don't think we're going to come to the next four races and expect to be fighting in the top four, top five.

"It was of course a lucky result to have things play out as they did. But we also had really good pace, particularly in the race on Sunday in Mexico and that can definitely be transferred forward. But our goal, definitely for the next four races, is to be fighting in the points."