Lewis Hamilton produces the strongest sign yet that he might not ‘fulfil’ his Ferrari contract

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Lewis Hamilton was asked about his immediate Formula 1 future after the Las Vegas Grand Prix as his dream move to Ferrari continues to unravel.

Ferrari have struggled to meet expectations throughout 2025, but not through a lack of trying from Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

The pair eventually finished fourth and eighth at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, but that doesn’t tell the full story.

Hamilton had to dismiss claims he could walk away from Formula 1 at the end of this year after suggesting he wasn’t looking forward to next season.

He qualified last in Las Vegas after a torrid Q1 in which he didn’t realise he had one last flying lap in his locker, and while Hamilton made up 11 places in the race, his progress stalled after his pit stop.

Hamilton questioned Ferrari’s strategy call on the team radio, and journalist Ralf Bach has now suggested that he’s starting to make noises that would suggest he may not reach the end of his current contract.

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Lewis Hamilton fulfilling his Ferrari contract not ‘set in stone’ after horror Las Vegas Grand Prix

Bach was speaking on the F1 Insider YouTube channel about Hamilton after the Las Vegas Grand Prix and said: “He was completely devastated, even worse than yesterday in qualifying, so he sounds like a desperate man.

“That was really a recapitulation. He says he’s giving it his all, he’s working harder than ever, and I think that’s what he means.

“And instead of getting better, he’s getting worse, and he just can’t explain what’s going on.

“And yes, he started from the back, but we’re still talking about the Ferrari here, and then he drives into the points, but is slower than Hulkenberg again, because they were pretty close together from the first pit stop, and actually Hulkenberg drove away from him and not the other way around afterwards.

“I think if you look at the pictures, if you saw Hamilton at the race today, then it’s reasonable to assume that he’ll be the first to pull the plug because he’s completely frustrated.

“Or Ferrari will say, no, then we’ll really get the young up-and-coming Bearman, who we already have in the squad anyway, who is doing one great job after another with the Haas, who is much cheaper and also much more the future than Lewis Hamilton.

“So there, I think it’s not yet set in stone that he will fulfil his contract.”

Bach was finally asked if he could imagine Hamilton at the end of this season and said: “If you’ve seen Hamilton’s interview, you have to be able to imagine it.”

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Oliver Bearman continues to impress as Lewis Hamilton’s most likely replacement

Hamilton’s contract is said to run until the end of 2027, but there are conflicting reports over whether that final year is an extension clause or already written into his original deal.

It would be remarkable if the seven-time world champion walked away now before even taking to the track in Ferrari’s new car, which has been designed for Formula 1’s changing regulations.

However, whether it’s Hamilton or the Aston Martin-linked Leclerc who leaves Ferrari next, their replacement already appears to be ready.

Oliver Bearman has had a very promising rookie campaign at Haas this year, after making his debut for Ferrari at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last season.

Bearman is expected to replace Hamilton one day, and he looks set to beat his teammate in the drivers’ championship, just like Leclerc did when he was loaned to Sauber for a year in 2018.

The 20-year-old will insist that he’s ready as soon as Ferrari need him, but another season at Haas would do him the world of good before potentially being recalled by Fred Vasseur.