As the 2026 Formula 1 season unfolds, the landscape of driver contracts is shaping up for the crucial 2027 campaign. Below is a comprehensive overview of the length and status of each driver’s deal, together with some context about recent extensions, performance trends, and the strategic considerations that may influence future moves. Lando Norris secured a contract renewal with McLaren in August 2026. The extension guarantees his place at the Silverstone‑based team until the close of the 2030 season, with additional options that could keep him beyond that point.
Norris, who entered the sport in 2019 and captured the world title in 2025, has become a cornerstone of McLaren’s long‑term plans, and the club appears keen to lock him in for the next half‑decade. Oscar Piastri, another McLaren talent, also signed a multi‑year deal ahead of the 2025 season.
His agreement runs through the end of 2028, giving the Australian a solid three‑year window to develop alongside Norris. The pair represent McLaren’s strategy of pairing a proven champion with a rising star to maximise on‑track synergy. Mercedes has been more circumspect about its driver contracts.
While the team officially announced only George Russell for the 2026 season after months of speculation, sources at Sky Sports News indicate that Russell actually signed a multi‑year contract that extends his stay until at least the end of 2027. This longer commitment reflects Mercedes’ desire for continuity as they rebuild around the British driver following his impressive performances in the previous years. Kimi Antonelli, the young prospect promoted by Mercedes, will also remain for the 2026 season.
According to the same Sky Sports report, Antonelli has a long‑term contract that will see him stay with the team for a third consecutive year in 2027, reinforcing Mercedes’ commitment to nurturing home‑grown talent alongside their experienced lineup. Red Bull confirmed that Max Verstappen put an end to any transfer rumours by signing a new contract in August 2026. The deal locks the Dutch champion into the team until the end of 2030.
Verstappen cited the potential return of V8 engines, confidence in Red Bull’s technical direction, and the allure of competing in other motorsport categories as key factors in his decision to stay. Following Verstappen’s renewal, Red Bull announced that Isack Hadjar will join the squad as Verstappen’s teammate. Hadjar’s future will largely hinge on his ability to match Verstappen’s pace and the performance of the RB22 chassis, but the team has signalled a willingness to keep him beyond his rookie year if he delivers.
Charles Leclerc’s contract with Ferrari was refreshed in June 2026. Although Ferrari has not disclosed the exact length, the team confirmed that the agreement secures Leclerc’s services for the "coming seasons," which analysts interpret as a commitment through at least 2028, with optional extensions that could push the deal further into the future. Lewis Hamilton made headlines when he announced his move to Ferrari for 2025, a transfer that shook the sport. The initial announcement described the arrangement as a multi‑year deal.
At the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix, Hamilton clarified that his contract covers at least the 2027 season, giving him a third year with the Scuderia. Sky Sports F1 also reports that Hamilton holds a unilateral option to stay for 2028, providing him with considerable flexibility. Williams took a different approach, offering Alex Albon a one‑year extension that runs until the end of 2027.
The short‑term nature of the deal may reflect concerns about the team’s progress and limited alternative opportunities for Albon. In contrast, the same week Williams revealed that Carlos Sainz secured a multi‑year extension, likely tying him to the team through the end of 2028 despite his earlier public doubts about remaining at the outfit. At Racing Bulls, Liam Lawson is positioned as the lead driver, with rookie Arvid Lindblad as his teammate. Lawson’s performance this season could open the door to a return to Red Bull’s main team if he impresses.
Should that pathway close, Lawson will be looking for a seat on the 2027 grid, making strong results essential. Lindblad, the only true rookie on the 2026 grid, impressed during his three practice sessions last year, notably finishing sixth in first practice at Mexico City. At 18, his priority is consistency and avoiding costly errors; matching or exceeding Lawson’s pace would likely secure him 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. The 45‑year‑old Dutchman would become the oldest driver on the grid since Graham Hill in 1975 if he continues beyond that year.
Aston Martin’s future plans remain uncertain, and speculation about Alonso’s retirement will intensify as the season progresses. Lance Stroll’s contract details are opaque, largely because he is the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll.
The Canadian driver has a deal that extends beyond 2025, but the exact length is undisclosed. His performance has lagged behind Alonso’s, yet the family ownership structure suggests he will retain his seat as long as his father remains at the helm. Oliver Bearman’s debut full season in 2025 was a mix of spectacular speed and high‑profile mistakes. At 20, his potential to become a future Ferrari driver is a topic of debate.
If he can deliver consistent podium‑level performances, he could become a sought‑after name in the driver market this year. Esteban Ocon’s form has dipped since a disappointing finale to his Alpine tenure in 2024 and being outperformed by Bearman at Haas in 2025. Ocon will aim to re‑establish himself ahead of the 2027 contract negotiations, as his future remains unconfirmed.
Nico Hülkenberg joined Sauber (now rebranded as Audi) on a multi‑year contract in 2025. While the agreement does not guarantee a seat beyond the current season, Hülkenberg, 38, shows no signs of retiring and remains eager to compete. Gabriel Bortoleto, the 21‑year‑old who won both the F3 and F2 championships in his rookie years, has struggled to meet the lofty expectations set for him. Nevertheless, his improvement throughout 2025 makes him one of Audi’s most promising young talents, and the team is likely to retain him for the coming years.
Pierre Gasly signed a new deal in September 2023 that keeps him at Alpine until at least the end of 2028. As the team’s lead driver, Gasly could deliver surprise results if Alpine’s car becomes more competitive.
Franco Colapinto, who replaced Jack Doohan early in the 2025 season, has turned his shaky start into a solid performance, earning a seat for the 2027 campaign with Alpine. Sergio Perez returned to Formula 1 in 2026 with the newcomer Cadillac team after a year out of the sport. While initially confirmed only for 2026, Sky Sports News reports that Perez 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 the Finnish veteran a chance to add more highlights to his career.
Overall, the 2026 season showcases a blend of long‑term security for star drivers, strategic short‑term extensions for emerging talents, and a few ambiguous agreements that leave room for future negotiation. As teams prepare for the 2027 calendar, these contracts will play a pivotal role in shaping the competitive dynamics of the sport.