Lewis Hamilton Confirms Ferrari Contract Is ‘Pretty Long,’ Rules Out New Talks

Lewis Hamilton has confirmed he does not need to begin discussions over a new Ferrari deal, saying he already has a “pretty long” contract with the team.

The seven-time world champion joined Ferrari at the start of this season in one of Formula 1’s most high-profile transfers, ending his long association with Mercedes. However, his time in red has yet to deliver a podium finish, and he currently trails teammate Charles Leclerc by 64 points in the standings.

When Ferrari announced Hamilton’s signing last year, it described the contract as “multi-year” but declined to specify its duration. Speaking ahead of this weekend’s São Paulo Grand Prix, Hamilton said he expects to stay with Ferrari well beyond next season as he continues his pursuit of a record eighth title.

“I have a pretty long contract,” Hamilton said when asked if talks had begun about an extension with the Scuderia. “Normally when you do a contract, it is the year before that you start to talk about it, so I am a little bit far from that point.”

Hamilton arrives at Interlagos after showing improved pace in Mexico City, where he achieved his best qualifying performance since joining Ferrari. He started third but finished eighth following a 10-second penalty for running wide at Turn 4 and being judged to have gained an advantage over Max Verstappen.

Reflecting on that decision, Hamilton said Formula 1’s stewards need to be more transparent in how they make such calls.

“There is not any clarity and that is part of the big issue; transparency and accountability and also that kind of secrecy as to how decisions are made,” he said. “It is something that definitely needs to be tackled. I don’t know if they [the stewards] are aware of the weight of their decisions and that they steer careers and can decide results of the championship as we have seen in the past. So something needs to be done.”

Hamilton turns 41 in January but has repeatedly stated he remains motivated to fight for championships. His focus now is on closing the gap to Leclerc and helping Ferrari end the season strongly.