As the Formula One landscape shifts, a seismic change could be on the horizon for Ferrari, with speculation mounting that both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc may exit the iconic team by the end of the 2026 season. F1 commentator David Croft has ignited the conversation, suggesting that if Ferrari fails to deliver a competitive car next year, they may be forced to search for two new drivers. After a dismal 2025 season that saw the Scuderia without a single Grand Prix victory, the urgency for change has never been more pronounced.
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, endured a season where he couldn’t even secure a podium finish, landing a disappointing sixth in the overall standings. Meanwhile, Leclerc faced his own struggles, marking a winless season for the fourth time in seven years at Ferrari—a troubling statistic that underscores the team’s struggles despite Leclerc’s evident talent. At just 28, the Monegasque driver has yet to mount a serious title challenge, largely due to Ferrari’s ongoing inability to provide him with a championship-caliber car.
Croft’s analysis brings attention to the precarious situation at Maranello, where both drivers may be considering their futures as the 2026 season approaches. With Hamilton’s contract expiring and Leclerc reportedly having release clauses tied to the impending regulation changes, their departures could spell disaster for a team already in turmoil. Croft pointedly remarked, “It’s up to Ferrari to give him a car, and Charles Leclerc as well let’s not forget who, whilst Lewis has had his struggles, Charles had a fourth winless season in seven years with Ferrari.”
The potential loss of both Hamilton and Leclerc would be catastrophic. While Ferrari seems to have Ollie Bearman waiting in the wings as a young replacement for the aging Hamilton, parting ways with a driver as skilled as Leclerc would be a devastating blow. These two seasoned professionals have been key players in attempting to revitalize Ferrari and restore its former glory. Since last winning a championship in 2008, the Scuderia has only managed to clinch 13 Grand Prix victories over the past seven years, a stark reminder of their faded dominance in the sport.
Both drivers have not shied away from voicing their concerns regarding Ferrari’s internal processes, with Hamilton even going so far as to submit critical documentation outlining necessary changes. If the team were to lose both stars, they would be forced into a significant overhaul, likely relegating them to the midfield for several seasons as they seek to rebuild.
However, there’s a glimmer of hope for Ferrari fans. The upcoming regulation changes could provide the shake-up needed for the team to reclaim its place at the front of the grid. With a new generation of cars on the horizon, the potential for improvement is palpable. The departure of the underwhelming SF-25 could usher in a new era that may see Ferrari challenging for wins again sooner than expected.
Yet, even if 2026 proves to be a turnaround year, retaining Hamilton remains a complicated issue. With the seven-time champion approaching 41 years of age, the question looms: would Ferrari invest in another lucrative deal for Hamilton, reportedly worth £70 million, when they have a promising young talent like Bearman available for a fraction of that cost? The future of Ferrari hangs in the balance, and with it, the legacies of two of the sport’s most prominent figures.
