In the 2026 Formula 1 season, the landscape of driver agreements is shaping up for a series of pivotal moves as teams look ahead to the 2027 campaign and beyond. Below is a comprehensive overview of the length of each driver's contract as it stands today, together with context that explains the strategic thinking behind the deals and what they could mean for the sport's future.
**Lando Norris – McLaren** Norris secured a contract extension in August 2026 that guarantees his seat at McLaren until at least the close of the 2030 season, with optional clauses that could see him remain even longer. The Briton, who debuted with the team in 2019, clinched his first World Championship in 2025 and has become the face of McLaren’s resurgence.
The long‑term commitment reflects both his on‑track success and the team’s desire for stability as they develop the next generation of cars. **Oscar Piastri – McLaren** Australian talent Oscar Piastri also signed a multi‑year extension ahead of the 2025 season. His new deal runs through the end of 2028, giving McLaren a solid two‑year window after Norris’ contract expires to either retain Piastri as a senior driver or use him as a valuable trade asset. Piastri’s steady improvement and ability to score points consistently make him a cornerstone of the team’s medium‑term plans.
**George Russell – Mercedes** Mercedes officially announced Russell only for the 2026 season after months of speculation, but insiders at Sky Sports News confirm that he has actually inked a multi‑year contract that will keep him at the Silver Arrows until at least the end of 2027. The Englishman, who joined Mercedes in 2022, is seen as the team’s primary title contender, and a two‑year guarantee aligns with the expected development cycle of the new power unit and aerodynamic package. **Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes** Alongside the Russell announcement, Mercedes confirmed that their young protégé Kimi Antonelli will stay for the 2026 season. Further reports indicate Antonelli has also signed a long‑term deal that will see him continue with the team for a third campaign in 2027.
The Italian rookie, who impressed in the 2025 Formula 2 championship, is being groomed as a future senior driver, and the extended contract provides a clear pathway for his progression. **Max Verstappen – Red Bull** Red Bull put an end to all rumours about Verstappen’s future by offering him a fresh contract in August 2026 that runs through the end of 2030. The Dutch champion cited the prospect of a possible return to V8‑engine racing, his confidence in Red Bull’s technical direction, and the opportunity to explore other motorsport disciplines as key factors in his decision to stay.
This five‑year deal locks in the sport’s most dominant driver for the next half‑decade, giving Red Bull a stable foundation for their development program. **Isack Hadjar – Red Bull** Following Verstappen’s renewal, Red Bull confirmed that rookie Isack Hadjar will join the team as Verstappen’s teammate. Hadjar’s contract length has not been disclosed in full, but it is widely understood that his stay will be closely tied to his performance relative to Verstappen and the competitiveness of the RB22 chassis.
The French driver’s future will therefore hinge on his ability to match the Dutchman’s pace and deliver points consistently. **Charles Leclerc – Ferrari** Leclerc’s most recent agreement with Ferrari was signed in June 2026. While the team has not publicly revealed the exact term, statements indicate the contract secures his place at Maranello for the "coming seasons," which analysts interpret as a minimum run through the end of 2028, with optional extensions that could push the deal further.
Leclerc’s status as a two‑time world champion makes him a vital asset for Ferrari’s championship aspirations. **Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari** Hamilton’s high‑profile move to Ferrari in 2025 was initially announced as a multi‑year deal. At the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix, the seven‑time champion clarified that he has a contract covering at least the 2027 season, effectively his third year with the Scuderia.
Sky Sports F1 also reports that Hamilton holds a unilateral option to extend his stay into 2028, giving him flexibility while providing Ferrari with a marquee driver for the near future. **Alex Albon – Williams** Williams extended Albon’s contract by one year during the 2026 summer break, keeping him at the team until the end of 2027. The short‑term nature of the deal reflects both the team’s cautious approach given limited progress and Albon’s limited alternatives in the market. It also leaves the door open for a longer commitment should Williams improve its performance.
**Carlos Sainz – Williams** Just a day after Albon’s extension, Williams announced that Carlos Sainz had signed a multi‑year extension that appears to bind him to the team until at least the close of 2028. The surprise came after Sainz publicly questioned his future amid a poor start to the 2026 season, suggesting that the team offered a compelling package to retain his experience and leadership. **Liam Lawson – Racing Bulls** Lawson is set to lead the Racing Bulls squad in 2026, with the expectation that strong performances could earn him a promotion back to Red Bull’s main team. While his contract length has not been disclosed, the driver’s ambition is clear: deliver podium‑worthy results, out‑shine teammate Arvid Lindblad, and make a case for a 2027 seat either with Red Bull or another top‑tier outfit.
**Arvid Lindblad – Racing Bulls** The 18‑year‑old Swedish rookie impressed during his three practice sessions last year, notably finishing sixth in first practice in Mexico City. Lindblad’s contract is effectively for the 2026 season, and his continued presence on the grid will depend on avoiding major mistakes and matching or surpassing Lawson’s pace. **Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin** Alonso signed an extension in April 2024 that keeps him at Aston Martin through the end of the 2026 season.
At 45, he would become the oldest driver to compete in F1 since Graham Hill in 1975. Aston Martin’s recent struggles have raised questions about whether the Spanish veteran will retire after his contract expires or seek another opportunity.
**Lance Stroll – Aston Martin** Stroll’s contract details remain opaque, largely because he is the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll. The team confirmed in June 2024 that he has a deal for "2025 and beyond," implying a long‑term arrangement that will likely continue as long as his father remains in charge.
**Oliver Bearman – Haas** Bearman’s first full season in 2025 was a roller‑coaster of brilliance and errors. At 20, he has already attracted speculation about a possible future move to Ferrari. Haas, however, is not expected to challenge for podiums soon, meaning Bearman could become a hot commodity on the driver market if he continues to develop. **Esteban Ocon – Alpine** Ocon’s form dipped after a disappointing 2024 with Alpine and a lackluster 2025 compared to Bearman’s rise at Haas.
He will be eager to re‑establish himself ahead of the 2027 season, especially as his contract has not yet been confirmed. **Nico Hülkenberg – Audi (Sauber)** Hülkenberg signed a multi‑year deal when he joined Sauber (now rebranded as Audi) in 2025. At 38 and a father, he has shown no intention of retiring, but his contract does not guarantee a seat beyond the current season, leaving his future open to negotiation. **Gabriel Bortoleto – Audi** The 21‑year‑old Brazilian, who captured both the F3 and F2 championships in his rookie years, has struggled to meet the lofty expectations placed on him.
Nevertheless, his improvement throughout 2025 makes him one of Audi’s most promising young assets, and the team is expected to retain him for at least the next two seasons. **Pierre Gasly – Alpine** Gasly signed a new contract in September that locks him at Alpine until at least the end of 2028.
Since joining the team in 2023, he has become the clear number‑one driver, and a more competitive Alpine package could see him achieve surprise results against the top teams. **Franco Colapinto – Alpine** After replacing Jack Doohan early in the 2025 season, Colapinto steadied his performance and earned a full‑season seat for 2026. Alpine’s confidence in his growth has resulted in a contract extension that secures his place for a second full campaign in 2027.
**Sergio Pérez – Cadillac** Pérez returned to Formula 1 in 2026 with the new Cadillac entry after a year away from the sport. While initially confirmed only for 2026, sources indicate he has signed a multi‑year agreement that will keep him with the American team for at least two seasons. **Valtteri Bottas – Cadillac** Bottas, like Pérez, spent 2025 on the sidelines. He is understood to have agreed to a multi‑year contract that extends his stay at Cadillac through the end of 2027, giving the veteran a chance to add more highlights before retirement.
Overall, the 2026 contract landscape reveals a mix of long‑term security for established stars such as Norris, Verstappen and Hamilton, and shorter, performance‑linked deals for emerging talents and teams in transition. As the 2027 season approaches, the flexibility built into many of these agreements will allow both drivers and teams to adapt to the rapidly evolving technical regulations and the ever‑changing competitive balance of Formula 1.