Lewis Hamilton has already told Ferrari exactly why he needs to be replaced before his contract ends

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Lewis Hamilton is believed to be under contract at Ferrari until the end of 2027. But the partnership may not last that long on recent evidence.

In the clearest indication yet that there’s tension between the team and their superstar signing, John Elkann told Ferrari’s drivers to ‘talk less’ during an explosive interview this week.

While Hamilton signed a three-year deal at Ferrari, it’s difficult to envisage either party having the appetite to continue if the events of 2025 are repeated.

Indeed, there’s already a rumour in the F1 paddock that Ferrari could pay Hamilton off before that agreement runs its course.

The excuses being made for Lewis Hamilton just don’t wash

Oliver Bearman is expected to join Ferrari once Hamilton leaves, and should both drivers maintain their recent form next year, there will be a strong argument to bring that plan forward.

There are plenty of mitigating circumstances behind Hamilton’s poor season. Above all, the Ferrari car is fundamentally flawed, with the team forced to raise their ride height outside the optimal window to protect the underbody from illegal wear.

But Charles Leclerc has still scored seven podiums; Hamilton has zero. Leclerc has been with the team since 2019, a factor that shouldn’t be overlooked, but that still doesn’t justify a 15-3 advantage in the races that both drivers have finished.

Hamilton’s predecessor Carlos Sainz says it’s difficult to adapt to a new car. That may be true, but the very best drivers are able to do so relatively quickly.

After spending his first six seasons at McLaren, Hamilton was immediately fast enough at Mercedes to beat Nico Rosberg and win a Grand Prix. But this year, he’s looked more uncomfortable than any of the drivers who have changed teams.

Hamilton is still a strong driver, but there’s a growing body of evidence to suggest that he’s in decline as he continues to set unwanted personal records. The idea that he’s ill-suited to the ground-effect cars doesn’t wash – no other big-name driver is in the same boat.

Lewis Hamilton told Ferrari ‘they probably need to change driver’ – he’s right

This all leads to a brutal conclusion. Hamilton called himself ‘useless’ after a Q2 exit at the Hungarian GP, a race where Leclerc took pole.

“I’m useless,” he said. “Absolutely useless. The team have no problems, the other car is on pole position. So, they probably need to change driver.”

Fred Vasseur disagreed with Hamilton and put his remarks down to frustration. He’s far from ‘useless’, as he’s demonstrated at his best moments in 2025, but he’s unfortunately right that Ferrari should ‘change driver’.

Put Bearman in the car now and the results are probably similar, or slightly worse. But the narrative would be totally different for a youthful academy graduate.

Hamilton’s presence is drastically increasing the pressure on Ferrari without offering them many tangible benefits. If that remains the case halfway through 2026, then it’s clear what Elkann and co. must do.