As the 2027 Formula 1 season approaches, the landscape of driver contracts is becoming clearer, offering insight into which riders are likely to stay put and which may be on the move. Below is a detailed overview of the current agreements for every driver on the grid, along with an analysis of the factors that could influence future changes. **Lando Norris (McLaren)** Norris secured a multi‑year extension just before the 2024 campaign began, lengthening a deal that originally ran out in 2025. The new arrangement guarantees that the 2026 World Champion will remain at McLaren until at least the close of 2027, and possibly longer if optional extensions are exercised.
Given his rapid development and the team’s competitive trajectory, a sudden departure appears unlikely unless a major performance drop or internal dispute emerges. **Oscar Piastri (McLaren)** Piastri followed his teammate by signing a fresh multi‑year extension ahead of the 2025 season. His contract now runs through the end of 2028, providing McLaren with a stable two‑year core of young talent.
Like Norris, Piastri’s future with the team looks secure unless an extraordinary circumstance forces a change. **George Russell (Mercedes)** Mercedes initially announced Russell only for the 2026 season, but sources at Sky Sports News indicate that the British driver actually signed a multi‑year contract that will keep him with the Silver Arrows until at least the end of 2027. This aligns with the team’s long‑term plan to build around Russell’s technical feedback and racecraft. **Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)** The teenage Italian, who has been on Mercedes’ talent list since he was 12, received confirmation that he will stay for the 2026 season.
While the official wording was limited, insiders suggest his deal includes longer‑term options, reflecting the team’s view of Antonelli as a future star rather than a one‑season placeholder. **Max Verstappen (Red Bull)** Verstappen’s contract, signed in March 2022, locks him at Red Bull until the end of 2028. However, performance‑related clauses allow both parties to reconsider the arrangement if the competitive balance shifts.
The 2024 controversy surrounding former team principal Christian Horner, which was later dismissed, highlighted the importance of these clauses. Verstappen has repeatedly said he will stay only if he can continue to fight for victories, so a failure to deliver winning machinery in the new 2026 regulations could spark renegotiations.
**Isack Hadjar (Red Bull Racing 2 / RB)** Following a standout rookie season with the junior outfit, Hadjar earned a seat beside Verstappen. His contract length has not been disclosed publicly, but his future will be tied closely to his ability to match the champion’s pace and to the overall performance of the RB22 chassis. **Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)** Leclerc’s most recent agreement, signed in June 2026, mirrors his 2024 deal in that Ferrari chose not to reveal an exact term, simply stating it secures his services for "the coming seasons." Analysts infer that the contract runs at least through 2028, with possible extension options that could keep the Monegasque driver at Maranello for several more years.
**Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)** Hamilton’s shock move to Ferrari for 2025 was announced as a multi‑year deal. At the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix he confirmed that his contract also covers the 2027 season, effectively giving him three years with the Scuderia.
Sky Sports F1 reports that Hamilton holds a unilateral option to extend into 2028, giving him considerable flexibility should the partnership prove fruitful. **Alex Albon (Williams)** Albon signed a new multi‑year extension in March 2024, guaranteeing his place at Williams until the end of the 2026 season. Given his solid performances since joining the team in 2022, a further extension for 2027 and beyond is plausible if the car’s development continues.
**Carlos Sainz (Williams)** Sainz’s contract, signed for two years starting in 2025, includes "options to extend" beyond 2026. The Spanish driver remains a high‑value asset for Williams, and the team will likely activate any extension clauses provided the car remains competitive.
**Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)** Lawson is positioned as the lead driver for the junior team, with his future hinging on strong results against rookie teammate Arvid Lindblad. A breakthrough could see him considered for a Red Bull main‑team seat, while a less impressive season may force him to explore opportunities with other outfits for 2027.
**Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)** The 18‑year‑old Swede impressed during practice sessions in 2025, even posting a sixth‑place lap in Mexico City. To retain his seat for a second year, Lindblad must avoid costly errors and demonstrate consistent speed relative to Lawson. **Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)** Alonso extended his deal in April 2024, keeping him at Aston Martin through the end of the 2026 season. At 45, he would become the oldest driver on the grid since Graham Hill in 1975.
The team’s recent performance struggles raise questions about whether Alonso will retire after his contract expires or negotiate a further extension. **Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)** Stroll’s contract details remain opaque, largely because of his familial connection to team owner Lawrence Stroll.
The team confirmed in June 2024 that he has a deal for "2025 and beyond," suggesting a long‑term arrangement as long as his father remains at the helm. **Oliver Bearman (Haas)** Bearman’s debut full‑season in 2025 was a mix of flashes of brilliance and rookie mistakes.
Should he continue to develop, he could become a hot commodity in the driver market, potentially attracting interest from top teams looking for youthful talent. **Esteban Ocon (Alpine)** Ocon’s form dipped after a disappointing 2024 with Alpine and a lackluster 2025 season where he was outperformed by Bearman at Haas.
He will aim to re‑establish himself as a reliable point‑scorer, especially as Alpine has not yet confirmed its 2027 lineup. **Nico Hülkenberg (Audi Sauber)** Hülkenberg signed a multi‑year contract when he joined the rebranded Audi‑Sauber outfit in 2025. At 38 and a father, he shows no intention of retiring, but his deal does not guarantee a seat beyond the current season, leaving his future uncertain. **Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi Sauber)** The 21‑year‑old Brazilian, a former F3 and F2 champion, has struggled to meet the lofty expectations set by his rapid rise.
Nonetheless, his improvement over 2025 makes him a valuable asset for Audi, which is likely to retain him to continue nurturing his development. **Pierre Gasly (Alpine)** 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, his experience and consistency are expected to help Alpine capitalize on any gains from a more competitive chassis. **Franco Colapinto (Alpine)** Colapinto replaced Jack Doohan midway through the 2025 season and managed to secure a full‑season seat for 2026. To stay beyond that, he must demonstrate a step‑up in performance, though he enjoys the backing of Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore. **Sergio Pérez (Cadillac)** After a year out of the sport, Pérez returned with the new Cadillac entry for 2026.
Although initially confirmed only for a single year, reports indicate he signed a multi‑year deal, guaranteeing his presence for at least two seasons. **Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)** Bottas, who also spent 2025 on the sidelines, is understood to have agreed to a multi‑year contract that runs through the end of 2027, giving Cadillac a seasoned veteran to help develop the car. **Overall Outlook** The 2026 grid features a blend of long‑term commitments and contracts with built‑in flexibility. Teams are keen to lock in their star drivers while preserving options to renegotiate if performance targets are not met.
For the drivers, clauses that allow exit or extension based on results provide a safety net in an ever‑changing sport. As the 2027 season draws nearer, the few remaining ambiguous deals—particularly those involving younger talents and teams still defining their long‑term strategies—will be the ones to watch most closely.