In the 2026 Formula One season, the length of each driver's contract has become a hot topic as teams and fans speculate about possible moves ahead of the 2027 campaign. Below is a comprehensive overview of the current agreements, supplemented with additional context to give a clearer picture of the landscape. Lando Norris secured a contract extension with McLaren in August 2026.
The new deal guarantees his place at the Silverstone‑based outfit until at least the close of the 2030 season, with further options that could see him remain beyond that point. Norris, who entered Formula One in 2019, has been a steady presence for McLaren and clinched the world title in 2025, making him a cornerstone of the team’s long‑term plans. Oscar Piastri, another McLaren talent, also signed a multi‑year extension ahead of the 2025 season.
His contract runs through the end of 2028, meaning he will continue to develop alongside Norris for the next several years. Both drivers now have overlapping timelines that give McLaren stability at the front of the grid. Mercedes announced that George Russell would race for them in 2026 after months of speculation.
While the official statement only confirmed the 2026 season, sources close to the team – notably Sky Sports News – indicate that Russell has actually signed a multi‑year contract that keeps him at the German powerhouse until at least the conclusion of 2027. This longer commitment reflects Mercedes’ desire to maintain continuity after their recent reshuffle. Kimi Antonelli, the promising young driver promoted from the junior ranks, will also stay with Mercedes for the 2026 season.
According to the same Sky Sports report, Antonelli has a long‑term deal that extends his tenure at the team into a third year, covering the 2027 campaign. This arrangement gives Mercedes a clear development path for its future stars. Max Verstappen finally put an end to the endless rumors surrounding his future by signing a fresh contract with Red Bull in August 2026. The agreement runs until the end of 2030, effectively tying the Dutch champion to the team for another four seasons.
Verstappen cited the potential return of V8 engines, Red Bull’s strong engineering base, and the opportunity to explore other motorsport categories as key reasons for staying. Following Verstappen’s renewal, Red Bull confirmed that Isack Hadjar will join the senior team as Verstappen’s teammate. Hadjar impressed during his rookie year with Racing Bulls and earned a promotion based on his performance.
His contract length will largely depend on his ability to match Verstappen’s pace and the competitiveness of the RB22 chassis, but he is expected to remain at least through 2027. Charles Leclerc’s latest deal with Ferrari was signed in June 2026. While Ferrari did not disclose the exact number of years, the team’s statement that the contract secures his future "for the coming seasons" suggests a minimum term that runs to the end of 2028, with possible options to extend further.
This mirrors the earlier agreement announced in January 2024, indicating a long‑term partnership. Lewis Hamilton made headlines when he announced his move to Ferrari for the 2025 season. The initial announcement described the arrangement as a multi‑year deal, and Hamilton later clarified at the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix that he holds a contract covering at least the 2027 season, his third year with the Scuderia.
Additionally, Sky Sports F1 reports that Hamilton possesses a unilateral option to stay for 2028 if both parties agree. Williams revealed 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 contract likely reflects uncertainty about the team’s progress and limited alternative options for Albon. However, just a day later, Williams announced that Carlos Sainz had agreed to a multi‑year extension that appears to bind him to the team until at least the close of 2028, a surprise given his earlier public doubts about remaining at the struggling outfit.
At Racing Bulls, Liam Lawson is positioned as the lead driver, with rookie Arvid Lindblad as his teammate. Lawson’s performance this season will be crucial if he hopes to catch the eye of Red Bull and earn a promotion back to the main team. Should that not materialise, he will likely explore opportunities with other teams to secure a 2027 seat, but strong results are essential. 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 mistakes and match or exceed Lawson’s pace, which would likely earn him a second year with Racing Bulls. Fernando Alonso extended his contract with Aston Martin in April 2024, committing to stay until at least the end of the 2026 season. The 45‑year‑old Dutchman would become the first driver since Graham Hill in 1975 to race in Formula 1 at that age, should he continue beyond 2026.
Aston Martin’s recent performance issues raise questions about whether Alonso will retire after the current season or seek a new challenge. Lance Stroll remains an outlier in terms of contract transparency. As the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll, his seat appears tied to his father’s ownership tenure.
Aston Martin announced in June 2024 that Lance has a deal covering "2025 and beyond," but exact details have not been disclosed. Oliver Bearman completed his first full season in 2025 with a mixture of spectacular speed and high‑profile errors. His pace has sparked speculation that he could one day replace Hamilton at Ferrari, while Haas, his current team, is unlikely to challenge for podiums in the near term. At 20, Bearman could become a valuable asset in the driver market if he delivers consistent performances.
Esteban Ocon’s form has dipped after a disappointing end to his Alpine stint in 2024 and being outshone by Bearman at Haas in 2025. Ocon will aim to outperform Bearman in any intra‑team battles, a factor that could influence both drivers' contract negotiations for 2027.
Nico Hülkenberg joined Sauber (now rebranded as Audi) in 2025 on a multi‑year deal. While the contract does not guarantee a seat beyond the current season, Hülkenberg, now 38 and a father, has shown no intention of retiring and remains enthusiastic about competing at the highest level.
Gabriel Bortoleto, the 21‑year‑old who captured the F3 and F2 championships in his rookie years, has yet to reach the lofty expectations set for him. However, his improvement throughout the 2025 season has kept him among the most promising young talents, and Audi is likely to retain him to continue his development.
Pierre Gasly signed a new contract in September 2023 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 car this year could yield surprise podiums when the front‑running teams falter. Franco Colapinto replaced Jack Doohan early in the 2025 season and overcame a shaky start to earn a full‑season seat. His performances have impressed Alpine enough to grant him 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. Although initially confirmed only for the 2026 season, Sky Sports News reports that Perez has signed a multi‑year contract, ensuring his presence for at least two seasons.
Valtteri Bottas, who also spent 2025 out of the cockpit, is understood to have agreed to a similar multi‑year deal with Cadillac, keeping him at the team through the end of 2027. Overall, the 2026 contract landscape reveals a mixture of long‑term security for top performers like Norris, Verstappen, and Leclerc, while several drivers are on shorter, performance‑based deals that could see significant movement before the 2027 season.
Teams are balancing the need for stability with the flexibility to adapt to evolving performance trends, making the next year a pivotal period for driver market activity.