Lewis Hamilton has dropped a broad hint about his future with Ferrari.
When Hamilton joined Ferrari at the start of this season, there was no confirmation from the Scuderia at the time as to the length of the seven-time F1 champion's deal.
The natural assumption was that Hamilton put pen to paper on an initial two-year contract, naturally incorporating the first year of the new regulations in 2026.
Hamilton's first season at Ferrari has been a struggle, with the 40-year-old setting a new unwanted - and ongoing - record for the Maranello marque of grands prix without a podium from first joining the team, which currently stands at 21.
In light of Hamilton's issues, and with Haas driver Oliver Bearman starting to prove his credentials, it has led to the former Ferrari Academy driver being touted as a possible replacement for his fellow Briton in 2027 should next season also prove difficult.
Hamilton, though, has now indicated that his contract with Ferrari runs for three years, through to the end of 2027.
Put to Hamilton that there had also been talk about a new contract with Ferrari, and asked when he expected negotiations to start, or whether it was dependent on how 2026 panned out, speaking to the media, including RacingNews365, he replied: "I have a pretty long contract.
"Normally, when you do a contract, usually the year before you start to talk about it. I'm a little bit far from that right now."
Asked if those talks would then be next year, he replied: "No."
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Hamilton 'excited' for Bearman future
Bearman's season has been on a considerable upward curve in recent races, following a difficult period over the middle of the year, in particular, that left him on the cusp of a potential race ban.
Although two points were erased from his super licence after finishing a stellar fourth in the Mexico City Grand Prix, the addition of a further point following a collision with Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson has pushed him back to nine, and a wait until May when further points are wiped off.
Despite that, Hamilton has been impressed by what he has seen of late from Bearman, who has collected 24 of his 40 points this season in the last four grands prix, and now has every chance of finishing in the top 10 in the drivers' standings.
After Hamilton described Bearman's performance in Mexico as "amazing", and being "so happy for him", he added: "But also, his first race, the progress he's been making, and [he is] a really nice lad, great approach, very approachable.
"That car, I think they [Haas] have done a great job over the course of the year. They've obviously developed well as well, and I'm very excited to see his future."
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