Fred Vasseur Prepares Contingency Plans as Ferrari Faces Driver Uncertainty
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur is understood to be keeping his options open as uncertainty looms over the Scuderia’s driver line-up heading into the latter half of the decade. With both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc facing pivotal moments in their Ferrari futures, Vasseur has reportedly identified a shortlist of four potential drivers should a vacancy arise after the 2026 season.
Although Ferrari are not actively planning a wholesale overhaul of their driver pairing, the team is well aware that circumstances could force a change. The situations surrounding Hamilton and Leclerc are very different, but both carry significant implications for Ferrari’s long-term ambitions.
Hamilton joined Ferrari amid huge fanfare ahead of the 2025 season, completing one of the most dramatic driver moves in Formula 1 history. His contract officially runs until the end of 2027, yet paddock speculation suggests the third year of the deal may not be fully secure. Reports indicate that Ferrari may have built performance-related clauses into the agreement, giving both sides flexibility if results fail to meet expectations.
The seven-time world champion endured a difficult 2025 campaign, struggling to extract consistent performance from a Ferrari car that failed to live up to pre-season hopes. While flashes of brilliance remained, the season was widely regarded as one of the most frustrating of Hamilton’s career. Should Ferrari repeat those struggles in 2026, it is far from certain that Hamilton would be willing to continue, particularly as he approaches the latter stages of his career.
From Ferrari’s perspective, retaining a driver of Hamilton’s stature only makes sense if the team can provide machinery capable of fighting for wins and championships. A continuation of underwhelming results would likely diminish enthusiasm on both sides, opening the door to an early parting of ways despite the nominal contract length.
Leclerc’s position, meanwhile, presents a different kind of challenge for Ferrari. The Monegasque driver has been the backbone of the team for several seasons and remains one of the most highly rated talents on the grid. During the difficult 2025 season, Leclerc consistently delivered strong performances, securing seven podium finishes in a car widely regarded as fundamentally flawed.
Despite his loyalty to Ferrari, Leclerc’s patience is reportedly wearing thin. After multiple seasons of rebuilding and missed opportunities, he has made it clear to senior management that the coming years are critical. Sources suggest Leclerc has delivered a stark message to Ferrari: it is “now or never” if the team wants to keep him at the centre of its championship project.
That warning has inevitably fuelled speculation that Leclerc could consider a move elsewhere should Ferrari fail to provide a genuine title-contending car under the 2026 regulations. Several rival teams are believed to be monitoring the situation closely, aware that a driver of Leclerc’s calibre would be one of the most sought-after names on the market if he became available.
Despite the dual uncertainty, Ferrari are not expected to lose both drivers at the same time. Internally, the preference would be to maintain a degree of continuity, particularly as the sport enters a new regulatory era. If Leclerc were to depart in pursuit of better championship prospects, Ferrari would be far more inclined to keep Hamilton on board to reduce disruption and maintain leadership within the team.
Conversely, if Hamilton chose to step away, Ferrari would likely build its future firmly around Leclerc, provided the Monegasque driver remains committed to the project.
In preparation for all eventualities, Vasseur has reportedly drawn up a shortlist of four drivers who could be considered should Ferrari need to fill a seat. While the identities of those drivers remain speculative, the list is believed to include a mix of proven race winners and emerging talents capable of leading Ferrari into its next era.
For now, Ferrari’s immediate focus remains on improving performance and convincing its star drivers that the team is moving in the right direction. The 2026 season, with its sweeping technical changes, is widely viewed as a turning point. Whether Ferrari can capitalise on that reset may ultimately decide not only its championship fortunes, but also who is sitting behind the wheel in Maranello’s future.
