The 2026 Formula 1 season offers a snapshot of how long each driver is expected to stay with their current team, based on the latest contract extensions and public statements. While some agreements are firmly locked in for several years, others remain vague or are subject to performance clauses that could trigger early exits.
Below is a detailed look at the contractual situation of every driver on the grid, with added context about their career trajectories, team dynamics, and the potential for movement heading into the 2027 season. Lando Norris Norris secured a multi‑year extension just before the 2024 campaign began, pushing the end of his original deal from 2025 to at least the close of 2027. The British teenager, now a former world champion, is therefore contracted to McLaren for a minimum of three more seasons.
Given his rapid development and the stability of the McLaren project, a switch to another outfit appears unlikely unless a dramatic shift in performance occurs within the team. Oscar Piastri The Australian secured his own multi‑year extension ahead of the 2025 season, guaranteeing his seat at McLaren through the end of 2028. Piastri’s contract runs parallel to Norris’s, meaning both young talents will continue to share the garage for several years.
Their combined presence suggests McLaren is building a long‑term core around two drivers who have already shown they can deliver podiums and race‑winning potential. George Russell Mercedes officially announced Russell only for the 2026 year, but insider reports from Sky Sports News indicate he has actually signed a multi‑year deal that will keep him at the Silver Arrows until at least the end of 2027.
This aligns with Mercedes’ strategy of retaining a driver who has consistently challenged for race victories and who fits the team’s long‑term development plan. Kimi Antonelli Mercedes confirmed that Antonelli will remain with the team for the 2026 season. The Italian prodigy has been part of the Mercedes driver programme since he was 12 and is widely regarded as a future star. Although his rookie season presented typical learning‑curve challenges, the team’s continued investment suggests his contract includes options that could extend well beyond a single year, potentially paving the way for a full‑time seat in the future.
Max Verstappen Red Bull locked Verstappen into a long‑term agreement in March 2022 that runs until the end of 2028. However, the contract contains performance‑related clauses that could allow either party to part ways if certain criteria are not met.
In 2024, rumours surfaced during a controversy involving team principal Christian Horner, but the allegations were later dismissed. Verstappen has repeatedly emphasized his desire to race for wins; should Red Bull’s new 2026‑era cars fail to meet his expectations, the clauses could become a catalyst for renegotiation or an early exit. Isack Hadjar Red Bull’s junior team, Racing Bulls, promoted Hadjar after an impressive rookie season, positioning him as a potential teammate for Verstappen.
His future will largely depend on how closely his performance aligns with Verstappen’s, as well as the competitiveness of the RB22 chassis. If he can consistently challenge the lead driver, Red Bull may retain him for multiple seasons. Charles Leclerc Ferrari announced a new deal for Leclerc in June 2026, echoing the vague language used in his January 2024 renewal: the contract secures his future at Maranello for "the coming seasons".
While the exact length was not disclosed, analysts infer it covers at least through 2028, with possible extension options that could keep him at the Scuderia for an even longer period. Lewis Hamilton Hamilton’s surprise move to Ferrari, announced in February 2024 for the 2025 season, was framed as a multi‑year agreement. He later clarified at the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix that his contract also covers 2027, effectively giving him three years with the Italian team. Sky Sports F1 reports that Hamilton holds a unilateral option to extend into 2028, giving him significant control over his tenure should the partnership prove fruitful.
Alex Albon Williams confirmed Albon’s extension in May 2024, tying him to the team until the end of the 2026 season. Having joined Williams in 2022 and served as Carlos Sainz’s teammate in 2025, Albon could be offered another extension for 2027 and beyond if he continues to deliver solid performances and helps the team progress.
Carlos Sainz Sainz signed a two‑year contract with Williams beginning in 2025, with "options to extend" beyond 2026. Given his reputation and the high regard in which he is held, Williams will likely seek to retain him, provided the car remains competitive enough to satisfy his ambitions. Liam Lawson Lawson aims to cement his status as the lead driver at Racing Bulls, competing against rookie Arvid Lindblad.
Strong results could open the door for a promotion back to the main Red Bull team. If that pathway does not materialise, Lawson will need to explore opportunities with other teams to secure a 2027 seat, making consistent point‑scoring finishes essential. Arvid Lindblad The 18‑year‑old Swedish driver is the sole rookie on the 2026 grid after impressive practice performances for Red Bull, including a sixth‑place finish in Mexico City’s first practice session.
To retain his seat for a second season, Lindblad must avoid costly errors and match or surpass Lawson’s pace, thereby demonstrating he can develop into a reliable contributor for Racing Bulls. Fernando Alonso Alonso extended his Aston Martin contract in April 2024, keeping him at the team until at least the end of 2026. At 45, he would become the oldest driver on the grid since Graham Hill in 1975. Aston Martin’s recent struggles raise questions about whether Alonso will retire after the 2026 season or continue if the team can improve its performance.
Lance Stroll Stroll’s contract details remain opaque, largely because he is the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll. The Canadian has a deal that covers "2025 and beyond", suggesting he will remain as long as his father retains ownership.
His on‑track performance has lagged behind Alonso’s, but family ties make his future less dependent on results. Oliver Bearman Bearman’s first full season in 2025 with Haas featured a mix of spectacular speed and notable mistakes. At 20, his potential has sparked speculation about a future move to Ferrari, possibly even replacing Hamilton. Haas is unlikely to become a front‑runner soon, so Bearman’s market value will hinge on his ability to deliver consistent, error‑free performances.
Esteban Ocon Ocon’s form dipped after a disappointing 2024 with Alpine and a lackluster showing against Bearman at Haas in 2025. He will need to out‑perform his teammate to secure a place for 2027, especially as neither driver’s contract has been publicly confirmed beyond the current season. Nico Hülkenberg Hülkenberg joined Sauber (now Audi) in 2025 on a multi‑year deal, but the exact length is unclear, meaning his seat beyond the current year is not guaranteed.
At 38 and a father, he remains enthusiastic about racing, suggesting he may seek extensions if the team values his experience. Gabriel Bortoleto After winning both the F3 and F2 championships in his rookie years, Bortoleto’s transition to F1 has been slower than expected.
Nevertheless, his improvement throughout 2025 makes him one of the most promising young talents, and Audi will likely aim to retain the 21‑year‑old to develop a long‑term partnership. Pierre Gasly Gasly signed a new contract in September 2023 that keeps him at Alpine until at least the end of 2028. As the team’s lead driver, a more competitive car could enable him to achieve surprise podiums, reinforcing Alpine’s decision to keep him for the next several seasons.
Franco Colapinto Colapinto replaced Jack Doohan early in the 2025 season and managed to secure a seat for 2026 with Alpine. Backed by executive advisor Flavio Briatore, he must continue to raise his performance level to earn a place for 2027. Sergio Perez Perez returned to the sport in 2026 with the new Cadillac entry after a year away. While initially confirmed only for 2026, sources indicate he has signed a multi‑year contract, guaranteeing at least two seasons with the American team.
Valtteri Bottas Bottas also appears to have a multi‑year agreement with Cadillac, keeping him at the team through the end of 2027. After a year out of competition in 2025, both he and Perez will look to add notable results to their resumes.
In summary, the 2026 grid features a blend of long‑term commitments—such as those of Norris, Piastri, Verstappen, Leclerc, and Hamilton—and shorter, more flexible arrangements that could see movement before 2027. Performance clauses, team competitiveness, and personal ambitions will all play crucial roles in shaping the driver market as the sport heads toward the next regulatory era.