In the 2026 Formula 1 season, the length of each driver’s contract has become a hot topic as teams and riders look ahead to the 2027 campaign and beyond. Below is a comprehensive overview of the current deals, the extensions that have been signed, and the likely scenarios for the coming years, based on the latest reports from team statements and reliable media sources.
Lando Norris secured a multi‑year extension with McLaren just before the start of the 2024 season. His original contract was due to finish in 2025, but the new agreement pushes his stay at the Silverstone‑based outfit to at least the end of 2027. The reigning world champion will therefore be tied to McLaren for a minimum of three more seasons, giving the team a stable foundation around its young star. Oscar Piastri, also a McLaren driver, signed a fresh multi‑year deal ahead of the 2025 season.
The extension guarantees his place in the team until the close of 2028, meaning McLaren will retain both of its promising British talents for at least four years from now. Mercedes officially announced that George Russell would race for the team in 2026, after months of speculation during the summer of the previous year. However, Sky Sports News reports that Russell has actually signed a multi‑year contract, extending his tenure at Mercedes to at least the end of 2027. This would align his stay with the team’s long‑term development plans and provide continuity alongside his teammate.
Kimi Antonelli, the young protégé promoted by Mercedes, is confirmed for the 2026 season. In the same October announcement that covered Russell’s future, sources indicated that Antonelli has also signed a long‑term contract that will keep him with the Silver Arrows through the 2027 season, giving him a third consecutive year in the Mercedes stable.
Max Verstappen finally put an end to the swirling rumours about his future by signing a new contract with Red Bull in August 2026. The agreement runs until the end of 2030, securing the Dutch champion for five more seasons. Verstappen cited the potential return of V8 engines, his confidence in Red Bull’s programme, and the allure of competing in other motorsport categories as key factors influencing his decision. Following Verstappen’s renewal, Red Bull confirmed that Isack Hadjar will join the team as Verstappen’s teammate.
Hadjar earned his promotion after an impressive rookie season with Racing Bulls, and his contract will be shaped largely by his performance relative to Verstappen and the competitiveness of the RB22 chassis. Charles Leclerc’s latest deal with Ferrari was signed in June 2026. While the team chose not to disclose the exact length, they did state that the contract secures Leclerc’s future at Maranello for "the coming seasons". Analysts infer that the agreement runs at least through the end of 2028, with possible options to extend further if both parties agree.
Lewis Hamilton made a headline‑grabbing move in February 2024, announcing he would join Ferrari for the 2025 season. The initial announcement described the arrangement as a multi‑year deal. At the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix, Hamilton clarified that he also holds a contract for the 2027 season, marking his third year with the Scuderia. Sky Sports F1 adds that Hamilton possesses a unilateral option to stay on for 2028 if he wishes.
Williams revealed a one‑year extension for Alex Albon during the 2026 summer break, keeping him at the team until the end of 2027. The short‑term nature of the deal likely reflects concerns about the team's progress and limited alternatives for Albon. A day later, Williams announced that Carlos Sainz had agreed to a multi‑year extension, which appears to bind the Spaniard to the team at least until the close of 2028, despite his earlier public doubts about staying with the struggling outfit.
At Racing Bulls, Liam Lawson is expected to fight for the lead seat against fellow rookie Arvid Lindblad. If Lawson delivers strong results, a return to the Red Bull main team could be on the table. Should that not materialise, he will be looking for opportunities with other teams for the 2027 grid.
Arvid Lindblad, the 18‑year‑old British talent, is the sole rookie on the 2026 grid after impressing Red Bull in three practice sessions last year, notably finishing sixth in the first practice session in Mexico City. If he avoids major mistakes and matches or surpasses Lawson’s pace, a second season with Racing Bulls is virtually guaranteed. Fernando Alonso extended his contract with Aston Martin in April 2024, securing his seat until the end of the 2026 season. The 45‑year‑old Dutchman would become the oldest driver on the grid since Graham Hill in 1975 if he continues beyond that year, raising questions about a possible retirement at the season’s end.
Lance Stroll remains the most enigmatic case. As the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll, his contract details are rarely disclosed.
Aston Martin confirmed in June 2024 that he has a deal for "2025 and beyond", effectively guaranteeing his place as long as his father retains ownership. Oliver Bearman’s first full season in 2025 with Haas was a blend of spectacular speed and high‑profile errors. At 20, he has already attracted speculation about a potential future at Ferrari, possibly even as a replacement for Hamilton.
While Haas is unlikely to challenge for podiums soon, Bearman could become a sought‑after name in the driver market if he refines his consistency. Esteban Ocon’s form has dipped slightly after a disappointing finish to his Alpine stint in 2024 and being out‑performed by Bearman at Haas in 2025. Ocon will aim to regain his standing in the intra‑team battle, a crucial factor given that neither he nor his teammate has confirmed a contract for 2027. Nico Hülkenberg signed a multi‑year contract when he joined Sauber (now Audi) in 2025.
At 38 and a father, he still shows enthusiasm for the sport, although his deal does not guarantee a seat beyond the current season. Gabriel Bortoleto, the 21‑year‑old who won both the F3 and F2 championships in his rookie years, has not yet lived up to the lofty expectations set for him. Nonetheless, his improvement throughout 2025 makes him one of Audi’s most valuable young assets, and the team is likely to keep him for the foreseeable future. Pierre Gasly renewed his contract with Alpine last September, extending his stay until at least the end of 2028.
Since joining the team in 2023, Gasly has become the clear lead driver, and a more competitive Alpine chassis could yield surprise results when the front‑running teams falter. Franco Colapinto replaced Jack Doohan six rounds into the 2025 season, overcame a shaky start, and earned a full‑season seat for 2026. His performances have impressed Alpine enough to secure a second full campaign in 2027.
Sergio Pérez returned to Formula 1 in 2026 with the brand‑new Cadillac team after a year away from the sport. While the initial announcement covered only the 2026 season, Sky Sports News indicates he has signed a multi‑year deal, guaranteeing at least two seasons with the American outfit.
Valtteri Bottas, who also sat out the 2025 season, is understood to have agreed to a multi‑year contract with Cadillac, keeping him at the team until at least the end of 2027. Both veteran drivers will be looking to add a few more highlights to their careers before they eventually step away. Overall, the 2026 season showcases a mixture of long‑term security for several top drivers and short‑term extensions for others, reflecting each team’s strategic outlook and the ever‑changing dynamics of the sport. As the calendar progresses toward the 2027 season, further announcements are expected, especially from teams that are still evaluating their driver line‑ups based on performance, development potential, and commercial considerations.