Lewis Hamilton may yet be committed to multiple more seasons as a Ferrari driver, it has been claimed. Ahead of this weekend's Italian Grand Prix, the team's home race at Monza, it has been suggested that the seven-time Formula 1 world champion could be locked in to a lengthy future racing for the Scuderia.
Contract terms and future plans
Hamilton has made it clear he will still be on the grid and racing in red next year. He turns 42 in January and, as it stands, it will be the third season under the contract he signed when he chose to leave Mercedes for Ferrari. It was described at the time as a multi-year deal, with at least two seasons guaranteed and, it is understood, an option for another which laid on Hamilton's side.
According to GPBlog, though, Hamilton may be committed to Ferrari through the 2028 season, ensuring a minimum four-year stay with the team. That would take him through to just a month short of his 44th birthday, suggesting the Brit feels confident that he will still be at the peak of his physical and mental performance for another couple of years.
Whether or not this is through a yet-to-be-announced extension or the terms of his original Ferrari deal is not confirmed. With their home race up next, this week would be an ideal time for Ferrari to announce any new deal they have in place with Hamilton.
Recent contract extensions across the grid
If they were to do so, it would be the latest in a string of high-profile contract extensions in recent times. Lando Norris confirmed at the weekend that he is staying with McLaren until 2030, while Max Verstappen has also put pen to paper on fresh terms with Red Bull, though it is understood that performance-based exit clauses still exist in the new paperwork.
Carlos Sainz agreed to a new multi-year deal with Williams over the summer break, while his team-mate Alex Albon is also staying put. Earlier this year, Ferrari confirmed a new contract for Charles Leclerc which is long enough to ensure that the Monegasque, who began racing for the team in 2019 after an apprenticeship year with Sauber, will represent the Scuderia in F1 for more than a decade.
Championship battle and Monza opportunity
Of the two Ferrari drivers, though, Hamilton has had the better season so far. Leclerc has also tasted victory, at the British Grand Prix, but is fifth in the championship and 28 points behind the Brit. Hamilton is tied on 183 points with George Russell, the two of them the closest challengers to current leader Kimi Antonelli.
The Mercedes youngster is 59 points clear, but his rivals have an opportunity to take a chunk out of that advantage at Monza this weekend. Toto Wolff has confirmed Antonelli will have to take new engine parts which will incur grid penalties that will force him to start the race from the very back of the grid. He will undoubtedly come back through the pack, but it is an opportunity that neither Russell nor Hamilton can afford to miss.
