‘Dissatisfied’ F1 driver is ‘flirting’ with Ferrari in discussions to replace Lewis Hamilton in 2027

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Ferrari are now said to be discussing the possibility of Lewis Hamilton retiring from F1 after the 2026 season with a rival driver, who is keen on a potential move to Maranello.

The Scuderia only welcomed Hamilton to Maranello prior to the 2025 F1 season, having had to wait a full year between signing the seven-time drivers’ champion and his departure from Mercedes. Hamilton agreed to an initial two-year contract with Ferrari in February last year.

Hamilton has an option to extend his Ferrari contract through 2027, as well, but his issues so far this season have raised questions about the 40-year-old’s future in the field. The Briton is enduring arguably the worst campaign of his 19-year F1 career to date in his first year in red.

Ferrari have only seen Hamilton score 125 points through 18 rounds, to even rank only sixth in the F1 drivers’ championship. He is also yet to claim a Grand Prix podium, let alone a race win, having never previously failed to stand on a rostrum beyond the 10th race of a season.

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri is ‘flirting’ with Ferrari about replacing Lewis Hamilton in 2027

So, should Ferrari fail to deliver a competitive car under F1’s 2026 regulations, the threat of Hamilton leaving or possibly retiring will only grow. And potential replacements are already emerging, even including McLaren ace and 2025 drivers’ championship leader Oscar Piastri.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family

It recently emerged that Piastri has set his sights on joining Ferrari in 2027, as Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are both thought to be considering their futures. But F1-Insider now reports that Piastri and Ferrari are in discussions that also focus on him possibly replacing Hamilton.

Piastri and his manager, Mark Webber, are thought to be ‘flirting’ with Ferrari about a move to Maranello in 2027, with Hamilton’s possible retirement one scenario being discussed. F1-Insider believes Piastri is ‘dissatisfied with his role at McLaren’, who he debuted for in 2023.

The reports suggesting that Piastri is now considering his future in Woking are also emerging despite the 24-year-old only signing a new contract for McLaren this March. Piastri rejected interest from Red Bull to sign a fresh contract for McLaren through at least the 2028 season.

McLaren and Ferrari’s 2026 F1 rules cars could decide Oscar Piastri and Lewis Hamilton’s futures

Piastri’s £19m a year McLaren contract is said to include release clauses, which can free him sooner than 2028 and open the door for him to replace Hamilton at Ferrari in 2027. Another option being reported is a seat swap between Ferrari’s Leclerc and McLaren’s Piastri in 2027.

READ MORE: McLaren driver Oscar Piastri’s life outside F1 from height to girlfriend

McLaren would no doubt want a top-tier replacement for Piastri, should they have a way to prevent the Australian from triggering any of his likely exit clauses. The Melbourne native is leading the 2025 standings after scoring 336 points, seven Grand Prix wins and 14 podiums.

It is also unlikely that Piastri would leave McLaren if their 2026 rules car is the best, despite there being a growing sense of tension between the two camps. But, should McLaren fail to thrive under the 2026 F1 regulations, the exit door in Woking may then start to swing open.