As Ferrari prepares to compete in a particularly symbolic Italian Grand Prix at Monza, the Scuderia could also be preparing an important decision for its medium-term future.
Read more Andrea Stella explains Oscar Piastri’s difficulties against Lando Norris this season
Several sources in Germany and Italy now mention a possible extension of Lewis Hamilton beyond 2027, a prospect that could directly compromise Oliver Bearman’s ambitions.
Arriving in Maranello in 2025, Hamilton currently has an agreement allowing him to continue with Ferrari in 2027, thanks to an option in his favor. But the hypothesis of seeing the seven-time world champion stay at least until the end of 2028, or even 2029, is now gaining momentum.
The Ferrari door could remain closed to Bearman
At 41 years old, Hamilton is thus expected to extend his adventure with the Scuderia. A choice that would allow Ferrari to keep one of the most experienced drivers on the grid, but which would immediately raise another question: what to do with Oliver Bearman?
The Briton remains one of the main hopes of the Ferrari Driver Academy. His remarkable performance when he replaced Carlos Sainz at short notice in 2024 notably reinforced the idea that he could one day become a regular at Maranello.
Since then, Bearman has continued his learning with Haas while remaining linked to Ferrari. His current contract runs until the end of the 2027 season, a deadline that could become decisive. Because Charles Leclerc is committed to Ferrari until the end of 2030. If Hamilton also extends until 2028 or 2029, no place would be available in the short term for Bearman.
The Haas driver has already warned that he is not willing to wait indefinitely: “My goal remains to one day become a Ferrari driver, he explained in Beyond The Grid. I don’t want to sit around for three, four, or five years waiting for a Ferrari seat to open up, because there is no guarantee and you can then waste your best years.”
2027 could become the year of choice
Bearman even shows himself ready to consider a career away from Maranello if Ferrari cannot offer him a real prospect: “If that means it won’t be with Ferrari because they can’t offer me that seat, then that’s life.”
Read more Lando Norris’s contract until 2030 illustrates a completely stalled driver market
An extension for Hamilton would therefore place Ferrari in a dilemma. Keeping the seven-time world champion would offer obvious sporting continuity, especially if the Briton continues to show his current level. But the Scuderia would simultaneously risk losing Bearman.
The young Briton now has significant experience in Formula 1 and his future no longer depends exclusively on Ferrari. If no place opens up in Maranello after 2027, he could decide to leave the Italian fold to join another team rather than continue several more seasons with Haas in the hope of a hypothetical promotion.
For Bearman, the equation would then be simple: wait in the hope that a Ferrari seat eventually opens up or take advantage of his contractual freedom to build his future elsewhere.
An announcement at a very symbolic Monza?
The Monza event could give a special dimension to these discussions. Ferrari is preparing an important tribute to Michael Schumacher with a livery inspired by the 1996 season, the year the German arrived in Maranello. His personal logo is also set to appear on the suits of Hamilton and Leclerc, as well as potentially on the SF-26.
A possible announcement concerning Hamilton would therefore take on an additional dimension. The Briton remains directly linked to Schumacher’s legacy since he equaled his record of seven world titles in 2020. Ferrari will also arrive at home with a significant evolution of its ADUO power unit group, whose gain is estimated by several reports at about 15 horsepower on the thermal engine.
Between the tribute to Schumacher, this technical evolution, and the questions surrounding Hamilton’s future, Monza could thus represent a particularly important weekend for Ferrari, with consequences likely to far exceed the 2026 season alone.
Read more Kimi Antonelli is gaining experience and has learned to attack less in order to go faster