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New detail in Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari contract revealed alongside 2025 earnings

Originally posted on HITC | By Filipe Guedes | Last updated Dec 22, 2025 3:32 PM ET

After a challenging debut year, Lewis Hamilton is still adjusting to life at Ferrari.

He ended up 86 points behind Charles Leclerc and did not manage a single podium finish throughout the season, which has not gone unnoticed.

Hamilton had spent over a decade at Mercedes, where he knew the team inside out and had a car tailored to his preferences. The move to Ferrari has meant starting from scratch in many ways.

Both drivers made critical comments about the SF-25, and while Fred Vasseur stepped in to defend them, not everyone within the team was as forgiving.

And as it turns out, Hamilton’s deal might keep him around for quite a while longer yet – at least according to one particular clause that has come to light. And it could see him driving well into his 40s.

Lewis Hamilton could extend Ferrari deal into 2028 as new contract clause emerges

Photo by Kym Illman/Getty Images

More details are starting to come out about Lewis Hamilton’s situation at Ferrari, with Bild reporting that the team is not too pleased with how things have gone so far.

Hamilton has been facing some internal criticism for his form in 2025. He struggled to keep pace with Leclerc throughout the season, and that has not gone unnoticed within the team.

According to Bild, Hamilton’s contract is set to run through to the end of 2027. While Ferrari initially announced it as a ‘multi-year’ deal, this provides a bit more clarity on the exact length.

In addition to that, the Briton reportedly has a unilateral option that could see him stay with Ferrari into 2028.

Internally, Ferrari views this as a ‘tricky situation’ because of his performances last season.

Last year, Hamilton reportedly earned over £87 million (€100 million). This sum included approximately £48 million from his contract with Ferrari, with the remainder coming from advertising and image rights agreements.

Initially, both Elkann and Vasseur were eager to secure Hamilton’s services under such generous conditions. However, recent reports suggest that Elkann’s initial enthusiasm is waning, and he is becoming increasingly unhappy with the current situation.

Vasseur and the seven-time world champion had previously worked together during Hamilton’s time in GP2 before he made the move to McLaren in F1, so he remains supported by the Frenchman.

If results do not improve soon, Scuderia could find themselves locked into an extended spell with a driver who is not meeting expectations.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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