An overview of the contractual commitments of each Formula 1 driver as they stand in the 2026 season, highlighting possible movements ahead of the 2027 campaign. Lando Norris secured a multi‑year extension just before the opening round of the 2024 championship, lengthening the deal that was originally set to finish in 2025. As a result, the reigning world champion is now bound to McLaren until at least the close of the 2027 season, giving the team stability at the top end of its driver line‑up.
Oscar Piastri followed suit with his own multi‑year renewal ahead of the 2025 season, committing the Australian to McLaren through the end of 2028. Assuming neither driver encounters a serious intra‑team clash nor a dramatic dip in form, the likelihood of either Norris or Piastri changing teams for 2027 appears minimal. Mercedes officially confirmed George Russell only for the 2026 year after months of speculation, but sources at Sky Sports News indicate that Russell actually signed a longer‑term contract that will keep him at the Silver Arrows until at least the end of 2027.
This aligns with the team’s desire to maintain continuity after a period of rapid development. The German outfit also announced that Kimi Antonelli will stay on for the 2026 campaign.
Antonelli, who entered the Mercedes academy at the age of 12, is still in the early phase of his Formula 1 career. The team regards him as a future star and, despite a challenging rookie season, it is expected that his agreement contains extensions and options that could see him remain beyond a single year.
Red Bull’s long‑term plan for Max Verstappen was sealed in March 2022 with a contract that runs to the end of 2028. However, the deal reportedly contains performance‑related clauses that could trigger an early exit if the Dutch driver feels the team cannot deliver race‑winning machinery, especially after the controversial 2024 episode involving unfounded accusations against team principal Christian Horner.
Verstappen has repeatedly emphasized his desire to compete for victories; if the 2026‑2027 cars fail to meet his expectations, questions about his future may resurface. Isack Hadjar is set to become the seventh driver in eight years to partner Verstappen at Red Bull, after a standout rookie season with Racing Bulls.
His tenure will largely depend on how closely his performance matches Verstappen’s, regardless of the RB22’s overall competitiveness. Charles Leclerc signed his most recent agreement with Ferrari in June 2026. As with the earlier contract disclosed in January 2024, the team did not reveal a precise term, merely stating that it secures Leclerc’s services for "the coming seasons". The wording suggests a commitment at least until the end of 2028, with possible options to extend further.
Lewis Hamilton’s unexpected move to Ferrari, announced in February 2024 for the 2025 season, was one of the sport’s most high‑profile transfers. Ferrari described the arrangement as a multi‑year deal, and Hamilton clarified at the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix that he also holds a contract for 2027, effectively his third year with the Scuderia. Sky Sports F1 reports that he possesses a unilateral option to remain for 2028 if both parties agree. Alex Albon renewed his contract with Williams in March 2024, extending his stay through the end of the 2026 season.
Having joined the team in 2022 and serving as Carlos Sainz’s teammate in 2025, a strong showing could see Albon negotiate another extension covering 2027 and beyond. Carlos Sainz signed a two‑year deal with Williams beginning in 2025, which includes "options to extend" beyond 2026. Given Sainz’s reputation and the team’s desire to retain a driver of his calibre, Williams will likely pursue an extension unless the car’s performance deteriorates markedly.
Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson aims to cement himself as the squad’s lead driver alongside rookie Arvid Lindblad. Should Lawson impress Red Bull’s senior team, a promotion back to the main outfit could be on the cards. Failing that, he will need to seek opportunities with other teams to secure a 2027 seat, which will require consistently strong results. British teenager Arvid Lindblad, the sole rookie on the 2026 grid, earned a place after impressive practice outings for Red Bull, including a sixth‑place finish in Mexico City’s first practice session.
At 18, his priority is to avoid major errors and match or surpass Lawson’s pace, which would likely guarantee him a second year with Racing Bulls. Fernando Alonso extended his contract with Aston Martin in April 2024, keeping him at the team until at least the end of the 2026 season. The 45‑year‑old Spaniard would become the first driver since Graham Hill in 1975 to compete at that age, raising speculation about a possible retirement after the 2026 campaign, especially given Aston Martin’s current performance challenges.
Lance Stroll remains the only driver whose contract specifics are largely opaque, partly due to his status as the son of team principal Lawrence Stroll. Aston Martin announced in June 2024 that the Canadian has a deal covering "2025 and beyond", effectively tying his future to his father’s tenure at the helm. Oliver Bearman completed his first full season in 2025 with a mix of spectacular speed and notable mistakes.
At 20, his flashes of brilliance have sparked rumors that he could one day replace Hamilton at Ferrari, though Haas’s current lack of competitiveness means he could become a valuable asset in the driver market if he continues to develop. Esteban Ocon’s standing slipped after a disappointing 2024 with Alpine and being out‑performed by Bearman in 2025. Ocon will look to re‑assert himself in the intra‑team battle, a factor that could influence both drivers’ contract situations for 2027. Nico Hülkenberg joined Sauber (now rebranded as Audi) in 2025 on a multi‑year deal, but the length of that agreement does not guarantee a seat beyond the current season.
At 38 and a father, Hülkenberg still shows enthusiasm for racing and has not indicated any intention to retire. Gabriel Bortoleto, despite not reaching the lofty expectations set after his back‑to‑back F3 and F2 championships, improved steadily throughout 2025. At 21, he remains one of the most promising young talents, and Audi would likely aim to retain him for the foreseeable future. Pierre Gasly signed a new contract in September 2023 that extends his stay at Alpine until at least the end of 2028.
Having become the team’s lead driver, a more competitive car could enable him to achieve surprise podiums when the front‑running teams falter. Franco Colapinto, who replaced Jack Doohan early in the 2025 season, recovered from a shaky start to secure a seat for 2026. Backed by Alpine executive adviser Flavio Briatore, the Argentine will need to raise his performance level to earn a place for 2027.
Sergio Perez returned to Formula 1 in 2026 with the new Cadillac entry after a year away, signing a minimum two‑year commitment. While only the 2026 season was initially confirmed, Sky Sports News reports that Perez’s contract is multi‑year, keeping him at the American team through at least 2027. Valtteri Bottas also appears to have agreed to a multi‑year deal with Cadillac, ensuring his presence until the end of 2027.
After a year out of the sport in 2025, both veterans hope to add further highlights to their careers with the new outfit. Overall, the landscape of driver contracts in 2026 reflects a mixture of long‑term security for top talents and strategic flexibility for teams seeking to adapt to the evolving technical regulations that will take effect in 2026 and beyond.