As the 2026 Formula One season unfolds, the landscape of driver agreements is taking shape, offering clues about which talent will stay put and which may be on the move before the 2027 campaign. Below is a comprehensive, rephrased overview of the current contractual situations for the sport's principal racers, along with some context and speculation to help fans understand the broader picture. Lando Norris secured a fresh extension with McLaren in August 2026.
The new deal guarantees his seat at the British outfit until the close of the 2030 season, with additional clauses that could see the agreement stretched beyond that year. Norris, who entered F1 with McLaren in 2019 and captured the world title in 2025, is now firmly entrenched as a long‑term cornerstone of the team. Team‑mate Oscar Piastri also inked a multi‑year extension before the start of the 2025 season. His contract runs through the end of 2028, meaning the Australian will continue to share the garage with Norris for at least three more campaigns.
Mercedes’ situation is slightly more opaque. The German manufacturer officially confirmed George Russell only for the 2026 season after months of speculation during the previous summer. However, sources at Sky Sports News indicate that Russell has actually signed a multi‑year pact that will keep him in the silver‑and‑black car at least until the end of 2027.
In parallel, Mercedes announced that Kimi Antonelli will stay on for the 2026 campaign, and, according to the same insider report, Antonelli has also secured a longer‑term arrangement that will see him on the roster for a third year in 2027. Red Bull Racing put an end to all rumors surrounding its star driver when Max Verstappen signed a fresh contract in August 2026. The new agreement locks the Dutch champion into the team until the conclusion of the 2030 season. Verstappen cited several factors for his decision, including the prospect of a return to V8 engines, confidence in Red Bull’s technical direction, and the appeal of competing in other motorsport categories.
Following Verstappen’s renewal, Red Bull confirmed that French rookie Isack Hadjar will join the squad as Verstappen’s teammate for the upcoming seasons. Hadjar’s future will largely hinge on his ability to match Verstappen’s performance, but the team’s confidence in the RB22 chassis suggests they are willing to give the young driver ample time to develop.
At Ferrari, Charles Leclerc signed his most recent contract in June 2026. While the team refrained from publishing an exact term, they stated the deal secures Leclerc’s services for "the coming seasons," which analysts interpret as a commitment through at least the end of 2028, with optional extensions that could carry him beyond that point. 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.
Hamilton later clarified at the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix that his contract includes a guaranteed year for 2027, effectively making 2027 his third season with the Scuderia. Sky Sports F1 adds that Hamilton also possesses a unilateral option to remain for 2028 if he wishes. Williams has taken a more cautious approach.
During the 2026 summer break, the team extended Alex Albon’s contract by a single year, keeping him until the end of 2027. The short‑term nature of the deal reflects both the uncertainty surrounding Williams’ performance trajectory and the limited alternative options available to Albon.
In contrast, a day later the team announced that Carlos Sainz had agreed to a multi‑year extension that appears to bind him to the team at least until the close of the 2028 season, a surprising development given Sainz’s earlier public doubts about staying with Williams. Racing Bulls’ lineup features Liam Lawson as the presumed lead driver, with rookie Arvid Lindblad as his teammate. Lawson’s performances will be closely watched by Red Bull, and a strong showing could open a pathway back to the main Red Bull team.
If that does not materialise, Lawson may explore opportunities with other constructors for the 2027 grid, but he must first deliver compelling results. Lindblad, an 18‑year‑old British talent, is the sole true rookie on the 2026 grid.
After impressing Red Bull during three practice sessions last year and finishing sixth in first practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix, his primary objective is to avoid costly errors and match or exceed Lawson’s pace. Consistency could earn him a second season with Racing Bulls. Aston Martin secured Fernando Alonso’s services with an extension signed in April 2024, guaranteeing his seat through the end of the 2026 season.
At 45, Alonso would become the oldest driver on the grid since Graham Hill in 1975. The team’s recent lackluster results raise questions about whether Alonso will retire after this contract expires. Lance Stroll remains the only driver whose contract specifics are largely undisclosed.
As the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll, his position appears tied to his father’s tenure. Nevertheless, Aston Martin announced in June 2024 that Lance has a deal covering "2025 and beyond," suggesting a degree of security despite his underwhelming performance relative to Alonso.
Oliver Bearman, who completed his first full season in 2025 with Haas, displayed flashes of brilliance alongside notable mistakes. His speed has sparked speculation about a potential future at Ferrari, possibly as a replacement for Hamilton. While Haas is unlikely to challenge for podiums in the near term, Bearman’s talent could make him a hot commodity in the driver market if he continues to improve. Esteban Ocon’s form has dipped following a disappointing finish to his Alpine stint in 2024 and being outperformed by Bearman at Haas in 2025.
Ocon will aim to reassert himself in the intra‑team battle, a factor that could influence his contract status for 2027, as neither driver has yet received a confirmed extension. Nico Hülkenberg joined Sauber (now rebranded as Audi) in 2025 on a multi‑year deal, but the exact length is unclear, leaving his future beyond the current season uncertain. At 38 and a father, Hülkenberg still enjoys racing and shows no intention of retiring. Gabriel Bortoleto, the 21‑year‑old who won both the F3 and F2 championships in his debut seasons, has not yet lived up to the lofty expectations set for him.
Nevertheless, his progress throughout 2025 has been steady, and Audi is likely to retain him to continue developing the young Brazilian’s potential. Pierre Gasly signed a contract extension in September of the previous year that secures his place at Alpine until at least the end of 2028.
Since joining the team in 2023, Gasly has become the de‑facto lead driver, and a more competitive Alpine chassis could enable him to achieve surprise results when the front‑running teams falter. Franco Colapinto replaced Jack Doohan early in the 2025 season and, after a rocky start, earned a full‑season seat for 2026. His performances have impressed Alpine sufficiently to grant him a second full campaign in 2027. Sergio Pérez has returned to Formula 1 with the brand‑new Cadillac team after a year away from the sport.
Although the initial announcement confirmed his participation for 2026, insiders at Sky Sports News suggest he has signed a multi‑year agreement that will keep him with Cadillac for at least two seasons. Veteran Valtteri Bottas is understood to have signed a similar multi‑year contract, ensuring his presence at Cadillac through the end of 2027. Both drivers, having spent 2025 out of the cockpit, are eager to add further highlights to their careers.
Overall, the 2026 season presents a mix of long‑term commitments—such as those for Norris, Verstappen, and Leclerc—and shorter, more tentative deals for drivers like Albon and Hülkenberg. As the calendar progresses toward the 2027 season, the confirmed extensions and the speculative rumors will continue to shape team strategies and fan expectations across the sport.