F1 fans tell Ferrari which two drivers they should sign if Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton leave

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There is a very real prospect that Ferrari could start the 2027 Formula 1 season with two new drivers.

The 2025 F1 season was a disaster for Ferrari as they failed to win a single Grand Prix.

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished fifth and sixth in the championship, although the Monegasque driver ended up with an 86-point advantage over his teammate.

Both drivers might be considering their futures at Ferrari for very different reasons.

If Hamilton once again struggles to get up to speed in the SF-26, then it wouldn’t be out of the question for him to potentially retire.

You’re Ferrari: What would be your dream team if Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton and Fred Vasseur all left in 2026?

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Hamilton has been predicted to make an early decision on his future in 2026, as by then he will know how competitive Ferrari are.

Leclerc has been linked with several teams that are keeping a close eye on his progress at Maranello.

Fans have now suggested which drivers Ferrari might target if Hamilton decides to call time on his F1 career, and Leclerc believes his best chance of winning a championship lies elsewhere.

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

F1 fans predict Ferrari’s 2027 line-up if Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton leave

The prospect of both Ferrari drivers departing was discussed on Reddit, and fans had plenty of ideas on who could end up in Maranello.

One post stated: “If Charles says I’m available, I’m sure Toto and Mekies definitely open the cheque book. Kimi and Isack are great, but they’re not Charles’ level. McLaren won’t, but there’s every chance that if a big driver at a top team causes a shuffle, Oscar tries to move to be guaranteed #1 too.”

Another fan suggested: “There’s got to be an alternate universe where Charles joins Carlos at Williams, and they become a top team. If it’s ours, I’m all for it.”

One comment pondered: “I don’t even know what driver line-up they will go with if Lewis and Charles both leave. Bearman and who? Sainz again? Piastri? Bortoleto? (somebody of the calibre of Albon or Gasly.)”

“It would indeed be super interesting if there were an empty seat next to Ollie,” suggested another response. “I know he’s Mercedes’ project, but surely they’d love to have an Italian in that seat – imagine Kimi going! We reunite the prema duo and accomplish the prophecy.”

One reaction read: “Albon would be fun. Lando is extremely loyal, but now that he has gotten his WDC and 2x WCC for papaya, he could maybe switch.”

Finally, the prospect of Max Verstappen was raised by one fan who said: “Verstappen may be available if RB completely bottle the regs, but I genuinely believe he’d prefer to take a sabbatical or race outside F1 than take a Ferrari drive. If Piastri feels he was brown nosed by McLaren again to his expense, he will 100% try to leave. But would he want to go straight for a poisoned chalice? Bearman and Gasly, probably. Ollie has no choice, and Pierre will be desperate for any chance to move up the food chain.”

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Ferrari must aim to keep Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton for 2027 to avoid driver market chaos

More than half of the grid will be out of contract in 2026, meaning that there are going to be plenty of teams considering their options next year.

It could be argued that Leclerc is in the top three drivers on the grid right now, but without the right car, it’s impossible to know how he really stacks up against the likes of Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and George Russell.

The Monegasque driver is the key to winning Ferrari’s first drivers’ championship since 2007, unless they can somehow convince Verstappen to leave Red Bull.

Verstappen has been linked with Ferrari, but it appears as though his priority is to stay with Red Bull if possible.

Many fans might consider Hamilton more expendable than Leclerc, given his struggles last year.

But if Hamilton sticks around for 2027, it means the car is competitive, and he’s seen enough positive signs behind the scenes that he believes he can fulfil his dream of winning an eighth championship.

If the 41-year-old departs, then it suggests Ferrari still haven’t solved the problems Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel faced when they joined the team.