As the 2027 Formula 1 season looms, the landscape of driver agreements for 2026 has become a focal point for teams and fans alike. Below is a comprehensive overview of the current contract lengths for every driver on the grid, together with the context behind each deal and what it could mean for future moves.
Lando Norris secured a multi‑year extension with McLaren just before the 2024 campaign began. His original contract was set to run out in 2025, but the new agreement pushes his stay at the Silverstone‑based outfit to at least the close of 2027, effectively locking the British champion into a three‑year window.
The extension reflects McLaren’s confidence in Norris’s rapid development and their desire to build a stable core around him. Australian talent Oscar Piastri followed suit, signing his own multi‑year extension ahead of the 2025 season. The deal guarantees his seat at McLaren through the end of 2028, giving the team a solid midfield partnership for the next four years. Both Norris and Piastri now form a long‑term foundation for McLaren’s resurgence.
Mercedes has been more discreet with its contract disclosures. While the team officially announced George Russell only for the 2026 season, reliable sources at Sky Sports News indicate that Russell has actually signed a multi‑year pact that runs at least through 2027.
This aligns with Mercedes’ strategy of retaining a driver who has already delivered race wins and podiums. In parallel, Mercedes confirmed that Kimi Antonelli will continue with the squad for the 2026 season.
Similar to Russell, Antonelli is believed to have signed a longer‑term contract that will keep him at the team for a third campaign in 2027, suggesting Mercedes is planning a gradual transition plan for its junior drivers. Red Bull’s star, Max Verstappen, finally ended months of speculation by committing to a fresh contract in August 2026. The agreement extends his tenure at the Austrian powerhouse until the end of 2030. Verstappen cited the prospect of a return to V8 engines, confidence in Red Bull’s technical direction, and the allure of competing in other motorsport categories as key reasons for staying.
His long‑term deal effectively locks the reigning champion into a five‑year window, giving the team continuity at the top. Following Verstappen’s announcement, Red Bull confirmed that rookie Isack Hadjar will join the team as the seventh driver in eight years to sit beside the Dutchman.
Hadjar’s future will largely depend on his performance relative to Verstappen and the competitiveness of the RB22 chassis, but the team’s intention is to keep him on a multi‑year trajectory. At Ferrari, Charles Leclerc renewed his contract in June 2026.
The team chose not to disclose the exact length, merely stating that his future at Maranello is secured for the "coming seasons." Analysts infer that the deal runs at least through the end of 2028, with possible extensions built in, ensuring that Ferrari retains its lead driver for a minimum of three years. Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2025 was a headline‑grabbing transfer.
The team announced a multi‑year arrangement, and Hamilton later clarified at the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix that he holds a contract covering at least 2027 – his third year with the Scuderia. Sky Sports F1 reports that Hamilton also possesses a unilateral option to extend into 2028, giving him flexibility while providing Ferrari with a seasoned champion.
Williams took a different approach, offering Alex Albon a one‑year extension that keeps him at the team until the end of 2027. The short‑term nature of the deal reflects both the team’s uncertain performance outlook and Albon’s limited alternatives.
Conversely, a day later Williams announced that Carlos Sainz secured a multi‑year extension, likely binding him to the team through at least 2028, despite his earlier public doubts about staying amid a difficult start to the 2026 season. Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson aims to cement himself as the squad’s lead driver, battling rookie Arvid Lindblad for the top seat. If Lawson impresses Red Bull sufficiently, a return to the senior team could be on the cards.
Otherwise, he may explore other opportunities for the 2027 grid, but strong results will be essential. British teenager Arvid Lindblad, the sole rookie on the 2026 grid, impressed during three practice sessions last year, notably finishing sixth in Mexico City’s first practice. To secure a second season with Racing Bulls, he must avoid costly errors and match or surpass Lawson’s pace. Fernando Alonso extended his contract with Aston Martin in April 2024, guaranteeing his place until the end of the 2026 season.
At 45, Alonso would become the oldest driver on the grid since Graham Hill in 1975, prompting speculation about a possible retirement after the season. Lance Stroll remains a wildcard; his contract details are vague, largely because he is the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll.
Aston Martin confirmed in June 2024 that Lance has a deal covering "2025 and beyond," suggesting he will stay as long as his father remains in charge. Oliver Bearman’s inaugural full‑season effort in 2025 for Haas was a blend of spectacular speed and high‑profile mistakes. At 20, his performances have sparked talk of a potential future at Ferrari, making him a name to watch in the upcoming driver market. Esteban Ocon’s form has dipped since a disappointing finish to his Alpine stint in 2024 and being outperformed by Bearman at Haas in 2025.
Ocon will look to outshine Bearman in their intra‑team rivalry, a battle that could influence both of their contract negotiations for 2027. Nico Hülkenberg joined Sauber (now Audi) on a multi‑year deal in 2025. While the contract does not guarantee a seat beyond the current season, Hülkenberg, now 38 and a father, shows no signs of stepping away from the sport. Gabriel Bortoleto, after winning the F3 and F2 championships in his rookie years, has yet to reach the lofty expectations set for him.
Nevertheless, his steady improvement throughout 2025 makes him a valuable asset for Audi, who are likely to retain the 21‑year‑old 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. As Alpine’s lead driver, Gasly could capitalize on a more competitive car to deliver surprise results when the front‑runners stumble.
Franco Colapinto, who replaced Jack Doohan six rounds into the 2025 season, recovered from a shaky start and earned a full‑season seat for 2026. His performances have convinced Alpine to keep him for a second full campaign in 2027.
Sergio Pérez returned to Formula 1 with the newcomer Cadillac team after a year away from the sport. While initially confirmed only for 2026, sources indicate he has signed a multi‑year contract, guaranteeing at least two seasons with the American outfit. Valtteri Bottas, also returning after a 2025 hiatus, is understood to have agreed to a multi‑year deal with Cadillac that runs through the end of 2027, giving him another chance to add highlights to his lengthy F1 career.
Overall, the 2026 contract landscape reveals a mix of long‑term security for star drivers, strategic extensions for emerging talent, and short‑term deals that reflect uncertainty for some teams. As the 2027 season approaches, these agreements will shape team strategies, driver market dynamics, and the competitive balance across the grid.