Ferrari have now made a decision on Lewis Hamilton’s future after extending Charles Leclerc’s deal

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Ferrari have confirmed half of their 2027 driver line-up by agreeing a contract extension with Charles Leclerc.

The Scuderia announced on Wednesday morning that Leclerc has signed a new contract, precluding any further speculation about his future. The guaranteed length of his previous deal, signed in 2024, wasn’t known.

According to BBC Sport, they have drawn up a brand-new deal rather than triggering an option in his existing agreement. That likely wipes out Leclerc’s exit clause, which could have come into play this year.

After signing a new deal, will Charles Leclerc retire as a Ferrari driver?

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Ferrari make commitment to keeping Lewis Hamilton for 2027

Leclerc’s teammate, Lewis Hamilton, signed for a guaranteed two years when he joined from Mercedes. According to The Daily Mail, Hamilton can trigger a third year, but ‘that is conditional on Ferrari wanting him to do so’.

While Hamilton is contractually in control of his future, his position still wouldn’t be tenable if Ferrari wished to make a change.

However, RacingNews365 Netherlands have learned from their ‘sources’ that Ferrari have ‘committed’ to Hamilton for 2027. This means that their line-up is ‘crystal clear’.

Haas driver Oliver Bearman, long seen as Hamilton’s inevitable successor, will therefore have to wait until at least 2028 for his opportunity.

Hamilton promised in a press conference before the Canadian GP that he would ‘be here for quite some time’, so he may be hoping for a contract extension himself.

Some doubts emerged over the Briton’s future during a miserable first season in which he failed to score a single podium.

However, a re-energised Hamilton has already finished in the top three twice in the first five rounds of the 2026 season. It was hoped that the rule changes, as well as his input into car development, would benefit him, and that seems to have occurred.

Hamilton will turn 42 before the start of next season, but recent performances suggest he remains at an elite level.