In the world of Formula One, the length of a driver’s contract often shapes the strategic landscape for both teams and the athletes themselves. As we step into the 2026 season, a clearer picture emerges of how long each driver is officially tied to their current outfit, while also hinting at potential movements as the 2027 calendar approaches. Lando Norris, the 2023 World Champion, secured a multi‑year extension just before the 2024 season kicked off.
His original deal was due to run out in 2025, but the new agreement pushes his commitment with McLaren to at least the close of 2027. This extension not only rewards Norris’s rapid development but also provides McLaren with a stable centerpiece for their future development programme. A few months later, Oscar Piastri also inked a fresh multi‑year contract with the Silverstone‑based team. The terms of his deal guarantee his seat through the end of 2028.
Assuming no major fallout within the squad and barring a dramatic dip in form, both Norris and Piastri appear set to stay at McLaren for the foreseeable future, making a driver swap unlikely in the next season. Mercedes, after a period of speculation, officially confirmed that George Russell will race for them in 2026.
While the public announcement only mentioned the upcoming year, sources at Sky Sports News indicate that Russell actually signed a multi‑year pact that will keep him at the Silver Arrows until at least the end of 2027. This aligns with Mercedes’s long‑term vision of retaining a driver who has already delivered podiums and race wins. The German manufacturer also announced that their junior prospect, Kimi Antonelli, will remain on the roster for the 2026 season.
Antonelli, who joined the Mercedes academy at the age of 12, is still in the early phases of his Formula One career. The team views him as a future star and is expected to embed options that could extend his stay well beyond a single year, although the exact wording of his contract has not been disclosed. Red Bull’s long‑standing champion Max Verstappen signed a lengthy contract back in March 2022 that runs until the end of 2028. However, the agreement includes performance‑related clauses that could trigger an early exit if the team fails to provide a competitive car or if Verstappen feels his chances of winning are compromised.
These clauses were highlighted during the 2024 controversy surrounding former team principal Christian Horner, though the allegations were later dismissed. Verstappen has repeatedly emphasized his desire to fight for victories, meaning that if the 2026‑2027 cars do not meet his expectations, his future with Red Bull could become a subject of intense debate. Joining Verstappen at Red Bull is the promising Frenchman Isack Hadjar, who impressed during his rookie campaign with Racing Bulls. Hadjar’s contract length is tied closely to his performance relative to Verstappen; a strong showing could secure him a longer stay, while a weaker season might see him moved to a junior seat or another team.
At Ferrari, Charles Leclerc signed a new deal in June 2026. The team deliberately kept the exact term vague, simply stating that it secures his future at Maranello for "the coming seasons".
Analysts interpret this as a commitment that runs at least through 2028, with possible extensions built in as options. This would give Ferrari a stable lead driver while they continue to develop their power unit and chassis.
Lewis Hamilton’s shock move to Ferrari in 2025 was confirmed as a multi‑year contract. At the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix, Hamilton clarified that he has a contract covering at least the 2027 season, effectively his third year with the Scuderia.
Sky Sports F1 reports that he also holds a unilateral option for 2028, giving him the flexibility to stay or walk away depending on the team’s performance. Williams secured Alex Albon on a multi‑year extension in early 2024, keeping him at the team through the end of the 2026 season.
Albon, who joined Williams in 2022, could earn another extension if he continues to deliver solid results alongside his teammate, Carlos Sainz, who is under a two‑year deal starting in 2025 with options to extend beyond 2026. Given Sainz’s market value, Williams will likely strive to retain him, though an uncompetitive car could prompt the Spaniard to explore other opportunities. Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson aims to cement himself as the team’s lead driver, battling rookie Arvid Lindblad for the top seat. If Lawson impresses Red Bull enough, a promotion to the senior team cannot be ruled out.
Failing that, he will need to showcase strong results to attract interest from other constructors for the 2027 grid. British teenager Arvid Lindblad, the sole rookie on the 2026 grid, impressed during practice sessions at the Mexican Grand Prix, finishing sixth in FP1.
Maintaining consistency and avoiding costly errors will be crucial for him to secure a second year with Racing Bulls. Fernando Alonso extended his contract with Aston Martin in April 2024, guaranteeing his place until the end of the 2026 season.
At 45, he would become the oldest driver to compete in F1 since Graham Hill in 1975. Aston Martin’s recent performance struggles raise questions about whether Alonso will retire after the 2026 campaign or seek a final stint elsewhere.
Lance Stroll remains an outlier; his contract details are opaque, largely because he is the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll. The team announced in June 2024 that he has a deal covering "2025 and beyond", effectively tying his future to his father’s ownership tenure. Oliver Bearman, after a mixed 2025 debut with Haas, showed flashes of brilliance that sparked speculation about a possible future at Ferrari. At 20, he could become a hot commodity in the driver market if he continues to deliver rapid lap times and learns from his early mistakes.
Esteban Ocon, whose form dipped after a disappointing 2024 with Alpine and a sub‑par season in 2025, will look to out‑perform Bearman in their intra‑team rivalry. Neither driver has a confirmed seat for 2027, making the upcoming season a pivotal one for both.
Nico Hülkenberg joined the rebranded Audi (formerly Sauber) in 2025 on a multi‑year contract, but the exact end date is unclear. At 38 and a father, Hülkenberg still enjoys racing and shows no intention of retiring, suggesting he may aim to extend his deal if performance permits.
Gabriel Bortoleto, a double champion in F3 and F2, entered F1 with high expectations that have yet to be fully realised. However, his improvement throughout 2025 has kept him on Audi’s radar as a valuable young asset, and the team is likely to retain him beyond his current contract.
Pierre Gasly secured a new contract with Alpine in September 2023 that runs until at least the end of 2028. As the team’s lead driver, a more competitive Alpine package could yield surprising podiums, reinforcing his long‑term stay. Franco Colapinto, who replaced Jack Doohan midway through the 2025 season, has earned a full‑season seat for 2026. Backed by Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore, Colapinto will need to raise his performance level to earn a place in the 2027 lineup.
Sergio Perez returned to the sport with the newcomer Cadillac team after a year away. While his initial agreement covered the 2026 season, sources indicate he signed a multi‑year deal, guaranteeing at least two seasons with the American outfit.
Valtteri Bottas, who also spent 2025 out of a race seat, is understood to have a similar multi‑year contract with Cadillac, extending his tenure through the end of 2027. Overall, the 2026 grid presents a mixture of long‑term commitments and contracts with built‑in options that could reshape the driver market ahead of 2027. Teams are balancing the need for stability with the flexibility to respond to performance trends, while drivers are negotiating clauses that protect their ability to chase victories and remain competitive in the ever‑evolving world of Formula One.