An overview of the length of the contracts currently binding each Formula 1 driver as the 2026 season unfolds, and what those deals could mean for the upcoming 2027 campaign. Lando Norris secured a fresh extension with McLaren in August 2026, committing himself to the British outfit at least through the close of the 2030 season, with additional options that could push the agreement further beyond that point. Norris, who debuted in F1 with McLaren in 2019 and captured the world title in 2025, has now cemented a long‑term future with the team that nurtured his rise.
Oscar Piastri, another McLaren talent, also signed a multi‑year extension ahead of the 2025 season, guaranteeing his seat at the Woking‑based squad until the end of 2028. The parallel extensions for Norris and Piastri illustrate McLaren's strategy of retaining its core young drivers as it seeks to build a championship‑winning package. Mercedes officially announced that George Russell would race for them in 2026 after months of speculation, but sources close to the team, including Sky Sports News, indicate that Russell actually signed a multi‑year deal that keeps him at the Silver Arrows at least until the conclusion of the 2027 season. This longer commitment provides stability for Mercedes as they continue to develop their 2026 car and plan for the next generation of power units.
In a related move, Mercedes confirmed that their 2025 rookie, Kimi Antonelli, will remain with the team for the 2026 season. Further reports suggest Antonelli, like Russell, has also secured a longer‑term contract that will see him stay for a third year in 2027, giving the German manufacturer a clear succession plan for its future driver lineup. Max Verstappen finally put an end to the endless rumours surrounding his future by signing a new agreement with Red Bull in August 2026. The contract runs through the end of the 2030 season, and Verstappen cited the prospect of a return to V8 engines, confidence in Red Bull’s technical direction, and the opportunity to explore other motorsport disciplines as key factors in his decision to stay.
Red Bull’s driver market continues to evolve. Isack Hadjar, after a standout rookie season with Racing Bulls, is positioned as the seventh driver in eight years to be considered as Verstappen’s teammate. Hadjar’s future at Red Bull will largely depend on his performance relative to Verstappen and the competitiveness of the RB22 chassis, but the team appears keen to nurture his talent. Charles Leclerc renewed his contract with Ferrari in June 2026.
While Ferrari chose not to disclose the exact length, they confirmed that the deal secures Leclerc’s services for "the coming seasons". Analysts infer that the agreement extends at least to the end of 2028, with possible options to prolong the partnership further, keeping the Monegasque driver at Maranello for the foreseeable future. Lewis Hamilton’s high‑profile switch to Ferrari, announced in February 2024, was initially described as a multi‑year arrangement.
At the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix Hamilton clarified that his contract covers at least 2027, marking his third year with the Scuderia, and he also holds a unilateral option to remain for 2028. This layered structure gives Hamilton flexibility while providing Ferrari with a seasoned champion for multiple seasons.
Williams announced 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 reflects both Williams’ cautious outlook given their performance challenges and Albon’s limited alternatives in the market.
Shortly after, the team revealed that Carlos Sainz had signed a multi‑year extension that appears to bind him to Williams at least through the close of the 2028 season, a surprising development given his earlier public doubts about staying amid the team’s early‑season struggles. At Racing Bulls, Liam Lawson is expected to fight for the lead driver role against fellow rookie Arvid Lindblad. Should Lawson impress Red Bull’s senior management, a return to the main team could be on the cards.
If not, Lawson may explore opportunities with other teams to secure a 2027 seat, but he must first deliver compelling results. British teenager Arvid Lindblad, the sole rookie on the 2026 grid, impressed Red Bull during three practice sessions last year, notably finishing sixth in first practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix. At 18, his goal is to avoid costly errors and match or exceed Lawson’s performance, which would likely earn him a second season with Racing Bulls. Fernando Alonso extended his contract with Aston Martin in April 2024, guaranteeing his place until at least the end of the 2026 season.
At 45, Alonso would become the first driver since Graham Hill in 1975 to compete in F1 at that age, raising questions about his retirement plans as Aston Martin navigates a challenging competitive landscape. Lance Stroll’s contract details remain opaque, largely because he is the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll. The Canadian appears to have a seat for as long as his father retains ownership, and Aston Martin confirmed in June 2024 that he holds a deal covering "2025 and beyond" despite being outperformed by Alonso over their three‑year partnership. Oliver Bearman’s debut full season in 2025 was a mix of high‑speed brilliance and notable mistakes, sparking speculation about a possible future move to Ferrari to replace Hamilton.
At 20, Bearman could become a sought‑after name in the driver market if he continues to showcase pace, even though Haas is not expected to challenge for podiums in the near term. Esteban Ocon’s form has dipped slightly after a disappointing finish to his Alpine tenure in 2024 and being outshone by Bearman at Haas in 2025. Ocon will aim to out‑perform Bearman in their intra‑team rivalry, a factor that could influence both drivers’ contract situations for 2027.
Nico Hülkenberg signed a multi‑year deal when he joined Sauber (now rebranded as Audi) in 2025. While the contract does not guarantee a seat beyond the current season, Hülkenberg, now 38 and a father, still shows enthusiasm for racing and has not indicated any intention to retire. Gabriel Bortoleto, the 21‑year‑old who clinched both the F3 and F2 championships in his rookie years, has yet to reach the lofty expectations set for him.
Nonetheless, his improvement throughout 2025 and status as one of the most promising young talents suggest Audi will be eager to retain him for the coming seasons. Pierre Gasly confirmed a new contract in September 2023 that keeps him at Alpine until at least the end of 2028. Having joined the team in 2023, Gasly has established himself as Alpine’s lead driver, and a more competitive car this year could yield surprise results when front‑running teams encounter difficulties.
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 retain him for a second full campaign in 2027. Sergio Perez returned to Formula 1 in 2026 with the new Cadillac team after a year away from the sport.
While initially confirmed only for the 2026 season, reports indicate he has signed a multi‑year contract guaranteeing at least two seasons with the American outfit. Valtteri Bottas, also returning after a 2025 sabbatical, is understood to have agreed to a multi‑year deal that will keep him at Cadillac through the end of 2027, giving the former Mercedes driver another opportunity to add highlights to his career. Overall, the 2026 season presents a mosaic of short‑term extensions, multi‑year commitments, and strategic options that will shape the driver market heading into 2027.
Teams are balancing the desire for stability with the need to stay flexible in a rapidly evolving technical environment, while drivers are seeking both security and the chance to prove themselves for future opportunities.