As the 2027 Formula One season approaches, the landscape of driver contracts is beginning to take shape, offering a clear picture of how long each competitor is tied to their current team. Below is a detailed overview of the most significant agreements in place for the 2026 season, along with some context about the riders' recent performances and the strategic considerations behind their deals. Lando Norris solidified his future with McLaren in August 2026, signing an extension that guarantees his seat at the British outfit until at least the close of the 2030 campaign.
The contract also contains optional clauses that could keep him beyond that point, giving both driver and team flexibility. Norris, who entered Formula One in 2019 and captured the world title in 2025, has become a cornerstone of McLaren’s long‑term plans and will likely continue to be the face of the brand for the foreseeable future.
A fellow McLaren driver, Oscar Piastri, also secured a multi‑year extension ahead of the 2025 season. His new deal runs through the end of 2028, providing the Australian with a stable three‑year window to develop alongside Norris.
The pair’s combined tenure is expected to foster continuity within the team’s engineering and driver development programmes. Mercedes has been more discreet about its roster, initially confirming only George Russell’s 2026 placement after months of speculation. However, sources at Sky Sports News reveal that Russell has actually inked a multi‑year contract that extends his stay at the Silver Arrows until at least the end of 2027.
This longer commitment reflects Mercedes’ desire to retain a driver who has consistently delivered strong qualifying performances and podium finishes. Alongside Russell, young talent Kimi Antonelli is set to remain with Mercedes for the 2026 season, and, according to the same Sky Sports insight, he too has signed a longer‑term arrangement that will see him continue with the team into a third campaign in 2027. Antonelli’s progression from the junior categories to a full‑time seat underscores Mercedes’ commitment to nurturing home‑grown prospects. Red Bull’s star, Max Verstappen, finally put an end to any lingering rumours about his future by signing a fresh contract in August 2026 that locks him into the team until the conclusion of the 2030 season.
Verstappen cited several factors for his decision, including the potential return of V8 engines, his confidence in Red Bull’s technical direction, and the appeal of competing in other motorsport disciplines while remaining with a dominant outfit. Following Verstappen’s announcement, Red Bull confirmed that French rookie Isack Hadjar will join the team as Verstappen’s teammate for the 2026 season.
Hadjar’s future will largely hinge on his ability to match Verstappen’s pace, especially given the competitive nature of the RB22 chassis. The team’s strategy appears to be to blend Verstappen’s experience with Hadjar’s raw speed, creating a dynamic pairing that can adapt to evolving regulations. At Ferrari, Charles Leclerc renewed his contract in June 2026. While the team refrained from publishing an exact term, they indicated that the agreement secures Leclerc’s services for "the coming seasons," which analysts interpret as a deal lasting through at least the end of 2028, with optional extensions that could push the timeline further.
This continuity is vital for Ferrari as they aim to rebuild around Leclerc’s championship‑winning pedigree. Lewis Hamilton’s high‑profile move to Ferrari in 2025 was originally announced as a multi‑year arrangement. At the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix, Hamilton clarified that his contract covers at least the 2027 season, marking his third year with the Scuderia.
Sky Sports F1 also reports that Hamilton possesses a unilateral option to extend his deal into 2028, giving him the flexibility to decide his long‑term future based on performance and personal goals. Williams has taken a mixed approach to driver contracts. Alex Albon received a one‑year extension that keeps him at the team through the end of 2027, a short‑term deal that likely reflects both the team’s modest progress and the limited alternatives available to Albon.
Conversely, teammate Carlos Sainz secured a multi‑year extension that appears to bind him to Williams until at least the end of 2028, a surprising development given his earlier public doubts about staying with a team struggling at the back of the grid. Racing Bulls, the Red Bull junior squad, have placed Liam Lawson as their lead driver for 2026, with rookie Arvid Lindblad as his teammate. Lawson’s performance this season will be crucial if he hopes to earn a promotion back to the main Red Bull team.
Should that pathway close, Lawson may explore opportunities with other constructors to secure a seat on the 2027 grid. Lindblad, an 18‑year‑old British talent, impressed during his three practice sessions in Mexico City last year, finishing sixth in the first practice session.
If he can avoid major errors and match or exceed Lawson’s results, he is likely to earn a second season with Racing Bulls. Fernando Alonso extended his deal with Aston Martin in April 2024, guaranteeing his place through the end of the 2026 season.
At 45, Alonso would become the oldest driver on the grid since Graham Hill in 1975, raising questions about his retirement plans and the team’s long‑term direction. Lance Stroll’s contract remains opaque, largely because he is the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll. The Canadian driver has a deal that runs "2025 and beyond," suggesting he will retain his seat as long as his father remains at the helm. Oliver Bearman’s 2025 debut with Haas showcased a blend of spectacular speed and costly mistakes.
At 20, he could become a hot commodity in the driver market if he refines his racecraft, potentially attracting interest from top teams such as Ferrari. Esteban Ocon, after a disappointing finish to his Alpine tenure in 2024 and being outperformed by Bearman in 2025, will aim to re‑establish himself ahead of the 2027 season.
His battle with Bearman for the team’s top seat could determine his future contract status. Nico Hülkenberg signed a multi‑year pact with Sauber (now Audi) in 2025, but the agreement does not guarantee a seat beyond the current season. At 38 and a father, Hülkenberg remains enthusiastic about racing, though his long‑term future is uncertain. Gabriel Bortoleto, the 21‑year‑old who won both the F3 and F2 championships in his rookie years, has shown steady improvement throughout 2025.
Audi will likely aim to retain him, given his status as one of the most promising young talents on the grid. Pierre Gasly confirmed a new contract with Alpine in September 2023 that extends his stay until at least the end of 2028. As the team’s lead driver, Gasly’s experience will be pivotal as Alpine strives for more competitive results.
Franco Colapinto, who replaced Jack Doohan early in the 2025 season, earned a full‑time seat for 2026 after a solid recovery period. His performances have convinced Alpine to keep him for a second full campaign in 2027. Sergio Pérez returned to Formula One in 2026 with the newcomer Cadillac team after a year away from the sport.
Although initially confirmed only for 2026, Sky Sports News indicates he has signed a multi‑year deal, 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 contract with Cadillac that runs through the end of 2027, giving the Finnish veteran a chance to add further highlights to his career. Overall, the 2026 contract landscape reveals a mixture of long‑term security for top performers, strategic extensions for emerging talent, and short‑term deals that reflect the uncertain competitive prospects of certain teams.
As the sport moves toward the 2027 season, these agreements will shape driver line‑ups, team strategies, and the broader narrative of Formula One’s evolving driver market.