The contract between Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari includes a clause that allows the British driver to extend his relationship with the team until the 2028 season, which could complicate the Scuderia’s strategies in the coming years. According to the German website Bild, Hamilton signed a multi-year contract with Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season, but the exact duration of the agreement had not been disclosed. Initially, it was reported that the contract would last until the end of 2026, with an option for 2027. However, the report indicates that the contract will run until 2027, with a clause that allows Hamilton to extend his commitment until 2028.
A highly significant point is that the decision to activate this clause lies entirely in Hamilton’s hands. This means that Ferrari could find itself in a difficult situation if it wants to make changes to its driver lineup before 2028, should the seven-time Formula 1 champion decide to continue with the Italian team for a longer period.
In terms of finances, Bild also reported that Hamilton had a substantial salary in 2025, totaling around $107 million, of which approximately $59 million corresponds to his salary at Ferrari. However, Hamilton’s debut with the Scuderia was not as expected. Despite achieving Ferrari’s first Sprint race victory in China, the driver failed to reach any podium in a traditional GP, managing only a P3 in the Sprint in Miami, something unprecedented in his career. Hamilton finished the drivers’ championship in sixth place, 86 points behind his teammate, Charles Leclerc.
Thus, this contractual clause may become a point of tension for Ferrari, especially if the team wishes to revise its driver strategy before 2028, as it will depend on Hamilton’s decision for any future changes.
