When Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will decide their Ferrari ‘fate’ during the 2026 F1 season

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Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton could consider their options in 2026 if Ferrari cannot provide them with a competitive car.

The Maranello outfit have had a frustrating 2025 campaign, with just five podiums to their name. Ferrari have fallen behind the likes of McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull, thanks to the difficult nature of the SF-25 and subsequent development and operational errors.

Ferrari have struggled with ride height problems all season, with Leclerc and Hamilton demanding aerodynamic upgrades to solve the issues. But these were ignored, as the team focused on a new rear suspension, which did not improve the car.

Faced with the prospect of going winless in 2025, the Maranello outfit will be banking on the 2026 F1 regulations to bring themselves up the pecking order. Fred Vasseur is under pressure from Ferrari staff and his drivers to deliver a strong package.

Leclerc is growing despondent at Ferrari as he is in his seventh season with the team without a championship-contending car. Hamilton has been sending more private reports to Ferrari to detail changes; both drivers want to see improvements.

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will decide their Ferrari ‘fate’ by the Monaco Grand Prix in 2026

With Ferrari’s crisis not painting a positive picture for 2026, their drivers are believed to be assessing their options. Hamilton is out of contract next season, while Leclerc has a deal under 2029, but his manager is said to be speaking to several teams, including Mercedes, Red Bull and Aston Martin.

Ferrari risk losing their star driver pairing if next year’s package is not up to scratch. Journalist Roberto Chinchero believes that Leclerc and Hamilton will decide their ‘fate’ after the first seven or eight races, leading up to the Monaco GP.

He said via Motorsport.com Italia: “I’m not sure about either of them. I believe that the fate of Leclerc and Hamilton in red will be determined by next year’s car in the first 7-8 races, by the time we get to Monaco.

“If the car proves to be a winner or at least capable of keeping the drivers in contention for the world championship until the end, I believe that we could see the same pairing again in 2027.

“On this, also because there would be no reason for a driver to leave a winning car to change teams. Should there be a car that is disappointing, at that point, there are many possible scenarios.”

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

Who could Ferrari sign if they lose Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton?

Losing Leclerc and Hamilton would be devastating for Ferrari. The former is the team’s golden talent, having risen through their academy ranks, while the latter was recently signed from Mercedes on a mega contract.

They will not want this partnership to fail, but if 2026 is unsuccessful, they could be left searching the Formula 1 driver market for potential replacements. Hamilton is likely to retire – he has the option to extend his deal for 2027 – while Leclerc will look at other teams.

Leclerc could swap places with Oscar Piastri in 2027, with the Aussie reportedly playing with the idea of leaving McLaren for Maranello. Oliver Bearman is being lined up by Ferrari as a future prospect, with the team keeping tabs on him at Haas.

Ferrari are also an admirer of Gabriel Bortoleto, with the Brazilian hugely impressing with Sauber in his rookie season. The team have their options, but they certainly will want to retain Leclerc and Hamilton at all costs.