In the 2026 Formula One season the landscape of driver contracts is shaping up for a series of potentially significant moves ahead of the 2027 campaign. Below is a comprehensive overview of the length of each driver’s agreement, together with the context that surrounds each deal, and an expanded look at what these timelines could mean for the sport. Lando Norris secured a fresh extension with McLaren in August 2026.
The new terms guarantee his services at the Silverstone‑based outfit until at least the close of the 2030 season, with additional options that could see him remain beyond that point. Norris, who debuted in Formula 1 in 2019, clinched the world championship in 2025 and has been a cornerstone of McLaren’s resurgence.
His long‑term commitment signals stability for the team as they aim to build on recent successes. Australian talent Oscar Piastri also signed a multi‑year extension with McLaren ahead of the 2025 season.
The agreement locks him in through the end of 2028, giving the team a clear two‑year window to develop a car that can challenge for podiums alongside Norris. Piastri’s contract reflects McLaren’s confidence in his rapid development and their desire to maintain a consistent driver line‑up. Mercedes has been more discreet about its driver deals.
Officially the team announced that George Russell would race for them in 2026 only, after months of speculation during the previous summer. However, sources at Sky Sports News indicate that Russell has actually signed a multi‑year contract, keeping him at the Silver Arrows until at least the end of the 2027 season. This longer commitment would give Mercedes a stable platform to continue fighting for championships after the retirement of longtime stalwart Lewis Hamilton.
Kimi Antonelli, the promising youngster promoted from the junior ranks, was confirmed by Mercedes to remain for the 2026 season in the same statement that addressed Russell’s future. Further reports suggest Antonelli, like Russell, has secured a long‑term deal that extends his stay at Mercedes through the 2027 campaign, providing the team with a potential future star who can grow alongside their senior drivers.
Red Bull has locked down its marquee driver Max Verstappen with a new contract signed in August 2026. The deal runs until the end of 2030, effectively tying Verstappen to the team for the next four seasons. In his statement Verstappen cited the prospect of a return to V8 engines, confidence in Red Bull’s engineering direction, and the allure of competing in other motorsport categories as key factors influencing his decision. This long‑term pact ensures that Red Bull can continue to build around their dominant driver while planning for the inevitable transition to a successor.
Isack Hadjar, who impressed during his rookie year with Racing Bulls, is expected to become Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull. While his exact contract length has not been disclosed, his future will largely hinge on his performance relative to Verstappen and the competitiveness of the RB22 chassis.
Hadjar’s progression will be closely watched as Red Bull seeks to maintain its dominance. Charles Leclerc renewed his agreement with Ferrari in June 2026. The team chose not to disclose the precise duration, merely stating that the contract secures Leclerc’s place at Maranello for the “coming seasons”. Analysts infer that the deal likely runs at least through the end of 2028, with optional extensions that could keep the Monegasque driver with Ferrari for a longer period if both parties agree.
Lewis Hamilton made headlines in February 2024 when he announced a move to 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 holds a contract covering at least the 2027 season, marking his third year with the Scuderia. Sky Sports F1 further reports that Hamilton possesses a unilateral option to extend his stay into 2028, giving him flexibility to decide his future based on performance and team dynamics. Williams confirmed 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 may reflect Albon’s concerns about the team’s development pace and the limited alternatives available to him at the moment. A day later, Williams announced that Carlos Sainz had agreed to a multi‑year extension, apparently tying him to the team through at least the end of 2028. The surprise element of Sainz’s deal came after he publicly expressed doubts about staying with a team that had struggled early in the 2026 season.
At Racing Bulls, Liam Lawson is positioned to become the lead driver, competing against rookie Arvid Lindblad. If Lawson delivers strong performances, a return to the Red Bull main team could be on the cards. Should that pathway close, Lawson may explore opportunities with other constructors for the 2027 grid, but he must first prove his speed and consistency.
British teenager Arvid Lindblad, the sole rookie on the 2026 grid, impressed Red Bull during three practice sessions last year, notably finishing sixth in the first practice session at Mexico City. At 18, his goal is to avoid costly errors and match or exceed Lawson’s pace, which would likely secure him a second season with Racing Bulls. Fernando Alonso extended his contract with Aston Martin in April 2024, ensuring his place at the team until the end of the 2026 season. At 45, Alonso would become the oldest driver to compete in Formula 1 since Graham Hill in 1975.
Aston Martin’s recent performance issues raise questions about whether Alonso will retire after the 2026 season or seek a new challenge. Lance Stroll remains the only driver whose contract details are largely opaque, largely because he is the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll. The Canadian driver has a deal that extends beyond 2025, effectively guaranteeing his seat as long as his father retains ownership of the team. Stroll has been outperformed by Alonso in recent seasons, but Aston Martin officially confirmed a contract for “2025 and beyond” in June 2024.
Oliver Bearman completed his first full F1 season in 2025 with a mixture of high‑profile mistakes and flashes of brilliance. His speed has sparked speculation that he could one day replace Hamilton at Ferrari. At 20, Bearman could become a sought‑after name in the driver market if he continues to deliver strong results for Haas, a team that is unlikely to challenge for wins in the near term.
Esteban Ocon’s form has dipped slightly after a disappointing finale to his Alpine stint in 2024 and being outshone by Bearman at Haas in 2025. Ocon will aim to re‑establish himself as Alpine’s lead driver, a crucial factor as both he and Bearman have yet to secure contracts for 2027.
Nico Hülkenberg signed a multi‑year deal when he joined Sauber (now Audi) in 2025. While the contract covers the 2025 and 2026 seasons, there is no guarantee of a seat beyond that. Despite being 38 and a father, Hülkenberg remains enthusiastic about racing and shows no immediate signs of retirement.
Gabriel Bortoleto, the 21‑year‑old who won both the F3 and F2 championships in his rookie years, has not yet reached the lofty expectations set for him. Nevertheless, his improvement throughout 2025 has kept him among the most promising young talents on the grid, and Audi will likely aim to retain him for the coming seasons. Pierre Gasly announced in September that he will stay with Alpine until at least the end of 2028.
Since joining the team in 2023, Gasly has become the clear number one driver, and a more competitive Alpine car could produce surprise podiums when the leading teams encounter difficulties. Franco Colapinto replaced Jack Doohan six rounds into the 2025 season and, after a rocky start, earned a full‑season seat for 2026. His performances have impressed Alpine enough to secure a second full‑campaign contract for 2027.
Sergio Perez is returning to Formula 1 with the new Cadillac team after a year away from the sport. The agreement guarantees his presence for at least two seasons, although the team only confirmed his 2026 seat publicly. Sky Sports News reports that Perez has actually signed a multi‑year contract. Valtteri Bottas, who also spent 2025 out of the cockpit, is understood to have signed a multi‑year deal with Cadillac that runs through the end of 2027.
Both he and Perez will look to add memorable moments to their careers as the new team seeks to establish itself. Overall, the 2026 contract landscape shows a mix of long‑term security for star drivers such as Norris, Verstappen and Hamilton, alongside shorter or less‑publicised deals for others. As the 2027 season approaches, the length and terms of these contracts will heavily influence driver market activity, team strategies, and the competitive balance across the grid.