Lewis Hamilton could have the power to extend his Ferrari contract into the F1 2027 season regardless of his performance level, it has been claimed.<\/p>\n
And Ferrari could be powerless to stop it, with the option to extend the contract reportedly lying entirely on Hamilton\u2019s side.<\/p>\n
F1 rumour: Lewis Hamilton contract clause opens door to Ferrari extension<\/p>\n
Hamilton joined Ferrari from Mercedes at the start of the F1 2025 season in one of the biggest transfers in Formula 1 history.<\/p>\n
It marked only the second team switch of Hamilton\u2019s illustrious career, with his only previous move occurring at the end of 2012 when he swapped McLaren for Mercedes.<\/p>\n
Hamilton and Ferrari opted against specifying the exact length of the contract signed by the seven-time World Champion in early 2024, describing it only as a \u2018multi-year\u2019 arrangement.<\/p>\n
F1 contracts: Made to be broken? Lewis Hamilton\u2019s Ferrari deal in depth<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 F1 2025 driver salaries revealed: Who are the highest-paid drivers on the grid?<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 F1 driver contracts: What is the contract status of every driver on the F1 2025 grid?<\/a><\/p>\n It is widely believed that the deal covers two seasons, taking Hamilton until the end of the 2026 campaign, by which time he will be on the verge of his 42nd birthday.<\/p>\n However, it has been claimed that Hamilton could activate an option to remain at Ferrari for a third season in 2027.<\/p>\n According to F1-Insider<\/a>, the respected Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport has suggested that Hamilton\u2019s contract contains a \u2018controversial\u2019 clause that will potentially allow him to stay for an additional season.<\/p>\n It means Hamilton\u2019s future will lie \u2018entirely in his hands\u2019, giving Ferrari \u2018little say\u2019 on the seven-time World Champion\u2019s future even if he continues to underperform.<\/p>\n Hamilton has had a disappointing start to life at Ferrari in F1 2025, failing to register a podium finish across his first 14 appearances for his new team.<\/p>\n The 40-year-old, who did convert pole position into victory in the China sprint race earlier this season, trails team-mate Charles Leclerc by 42 points with 10 races remaining.<\/p>\n Hamilton cut a downbeat figure at the recent Hungarian Grand Prix, where he could only manage 12th on the grid on a weekend Leclerc took pole position with the SF-25 car.<\/p>\n The British driver repeatedly referred to himself as \u201cuseless\u201d after qualifying<\/a> in Budapest and even suggested that Ferrari should consider replacing him.<\/p>\n Speaking to media including PlanetF1.com<\/a> 24 hours later, Hamilton admitted that his feelings had not changed before alluding to concerns behind the scenes at Ferrari.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a lot going on in the background that\u2019s not great,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Hamilton previously told media including PlanetF1.com<\/a> that his \u201cbosses are not happy\u201d with his results following April\u2019s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with the pressure increasing in him to perform.<\/p>\n Even if the option exists for Hamilton to extend his Ferrari contract until the end of 2027, it is possible that he could retire at the end of 2026 if he feels he can no longer compete at the front of the field.<\/p>\n More on Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari from PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 Lewis Hamilton news<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 Ferrari news<\/a><\/p>\n Despite his emotional comments in Hungary, Hamilton recently hinted that he is at Ferrari for the long haul, revealing that he has held a series of meetings with Ferrari\u2019s top brass at Maranello in an attempt to turn the situation around.<\/p>\n Hamilton has also submitted various \u201cdocuments\u201d to Ferrari, proposing changes to the car and the team\u2019s structure, to ensure that his stint with the Scuderia ends in success.<\/p>\n