F1 star in talks with Ferrari over potential move to replace Lewis Hamilton in 2027

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Ferrari have reportedly started talks with a rival driver about the possibility of replacing Lewis Hamilton, who could step away from F1 after the 2026 season.

The Scuderia signed Hamilton ahead of the 2025 season, but had to wait a full year before he could join them after leaving Mercedes. He agreed to a two-year deal with Ferrari back in February last year.

There is an option for Hamilton to extend his stay at Ferrari into 2027, but his struggles this season have led to doubts about whether he’ll take it up. At 40 years old, the Brit is going through what many consider the toughest stretch of his 19-year career, and it’s coming during his debut season with Ferrari.

So far this year, Hamilton has only managed 125 points over 18 rounds and sits sixth in the drivers’ standings. He still hasn’t reached a Grand Prix podium, let alone won a race – something that’s never happened to him before this deep into a season.

Oscar Piastri linked with Ferrari move as Lewis Hamilton’s 2027 replacement

Hamilton’s future with Ferrari is already under scrutiny, and if the team falls short of expectations under the 2026 regulations, the chances of him stepping away from F1 could increase. Several names have been linked as possible successors, including McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

The Australian driver has expressed interest in joining Ferrari in 2027, especially as both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are reportedly weighing up their options. According to F1-Insider, discussions between Piastri and Ferrari have centred around him taking over Hamilton’s seat.

Piastri and his manager, Mark Webber, are believed to be testing the waters with Ferrari for a potential move in 2027. The same report suggests that Piastri is growing unhappy with his situation at McLaren.

There have also been growing signs that Piastri is rethinking his position at Woking, even though he only put pen to paper on a new deal this March. That contract extends his stay until at least the end of the 2028 season and came after he turned down an approach from Red Bull.

Oscar Piastri’s future is likely to hinge on whether or not McLaren can deliver the right car in 2026

Piastri’s £19m a year deal with McLaren includes release clauses that could let him leave before 2028, giving him the option to join Ferrari as Hamilton’s replacement. There’s also talk of a possible seat swap between Leclerc and Piastri for the 2027 season.

If Piastri does decide to move, McLaren would need to find a suitable replacement. He currently leads the 2025 championship with seven Grand Prix wins and 14 podiums, making him one of the sport’s top drivers.

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However, if their new car proves uncompetitive under F1’s updated rules, then his path out of Woking could become much clearer.