Lewis Hamilton may stay with Ferrari for an additional two or three years if his present type continues, based on former Method 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya, probably complicating the path to Maranello for Oliver Bearman and Rafael Camara. The potential for a Lewis Hamilton Ferrari contract extension would give the Scuderia continuity with its seven-time world champion, nevertheless it may additionally depart two extremely rated younger drivers ready for a chance that won’t arrive on the splendid second.
Questions over Hamilton’s long-term future turned extra distinguished throughout his troublesome earlier season, when retirement appeared a extra believable risk. His improved confidence and stronger outcomes have modified that dialog, nevertheless, and Montoya now believes the British driver is unlikely to stroll away if Ferrari continues to carry out competitively.
Juan Pablo Montoya expects Lewis Hamilton to stay at Ferrari
Talking on the AS Colombia podcast, Juan Pablo Montoya argued that Lewis Hamilton may proceed racing for Ferrari for an additional two or three seasons. The previous Williams driver believes retirement is unlikely whereas Hamilton stays aggressive and the Maranello crew continues producing outcomes that give him motive to remain.
That situation would characterize a notable change from the uncertainty that surrounded the seven-time world champion throughout his struggles. Ferrari’s present driver scenario has already attracted appreciable consideration, with Hamilton and Charles Leclerc occupying the 2 seats whereas the broader 2026 Method 1 driver market continues to evolve round them.
Current type additionally offers the dialogue better relevance. Hamilton reached the summer season break as Ferrari’s main championship challenger, and his traditionally robust second-half performances have already strengthened the controversy over how Ferrari ought to handle his 2026 title marketing campaign. If that momentum continues, the case for extending the partnership may grow to be stronger reasonably than weaker.
Hamilton contract extension may have an effect on Oliver Bearman and Rafael Camara
The opposite aspect of the equation issues Ferrari’s youthful drivers. Oliver Bearman and Rafael Camara are each offered as potential future candidates for a race seat with the Scuderia, which means an extended Hamilton keep would scale back the short-term availability of probably the most coveted locations on the Method 1 grid.
Montoya believes timing may grow to be decisive. If Hamilton stays for an additional two or three years, Ferrari could finally discover itself evaluating a number of generations of younger expertise without delay. A driver who seems to be the plain successor at present may face a really completely different aggressive panorama by the point a seat really turns into accessible.
Utilizing Camara for instance, Montoya steered that if the Brazilian reaches Method 1 and turns into the extra enticing choice at exactly the precise second, Bearman may discover that his personal alternative has handed. Within the Colombian’s view, profession development at this degree relies upon not solely on means but in addition on how interesting a driver is when a top-team emptiness lastly opens.
Ferrari may face a troublesome succession choice
For the second, Ferrari doesn’t must make that alternative. Hamilton stays central to the crew’s present championship ambitions, whereas the prospects of Bearman and Camara concern a longer-term succession query reasonably than a direct driver change.
Montoya’s evaluation however highlights the potential consequence of Hamilton returning to sustained aggressive type. Each extra season the Briton spends at Maranello may slim the window for Ferrari’s younger prospects, notably if just one finally emerges as the popular successor.
The choice would in the end depend upon circumstances which have but to be resolved: Hamilton’s performances, Ferrari’s competitiveness and the event of the drivers hoping to comply with him. For now, Montoya sees retirement shifting additional away, and that alone may considerably reshape Ferrari’s future driver planning.
Aug 8, 2026
