Ahead of the 2026 F1 season that will see the arrival of the all-new technical regulation, F1Technical’s senior writer Balazs Szabo takes a look at the drivers’ conntracts.
As Formula One approaches the 2026 season, which marks the 77th running of the World Championship, the driver market presents a mixture of long‑term stability and short‑term uncertainty.
Red Bull: Long‑Term Security at the Front
Red Bull continues to build its future around Max Verstappen, who remains under contract until 31 December 2028. Although the Dutchman had held talks with Mercedes last Spring and throughout the early summer weeks, this agreement should guarantee at least four additional seasons with the team for the four-time World Champion.
Yuki Tsunoda, who was promoted to the senior team during the 2025 season, lost his seat at the end of the year to Isack Hadjar. The Frenchman has shown enough during his maiden F1 season to convince Red Bull to bring him alongside Verstappen for the 2026 season.
Ferrari: A Multi‑Year Power Duo
Ferrari will enter 2026 with one of the most experienced and stable driver pairings on the grid. Lewis Hamilton began a multi‑year contract at the start of the 2025 season, and he has one more year on his contract, which also includes an option that could extend his stay into 2027.
Charles Leclerc has also committed to a long‑term future with Ferrari, as his extension is described as lasting several seasons. This wording suggests that his contract likely runs until at least 2027 or 2028.
Mercedes: A New Era with a Young Core
Following Lewis Hamilton’s departure, Mercedes began a new chapter in 2025 with a driver line‑up that had an average age of just 23.5 years, making it the youngest pairing in the team’s modern history.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli has delivered a sensational performance at the beginning and the end of the season to earn a contract extension that will see him race for the Silver Arrows until the end of 2026.
George Russell’s agreement also runs through 2026, and it includes a performance‑based option that could extend his contract into 2027. This structure gives Mercedes the possibility of retaining Russell for up to three more seasons.
McLaren: Stability Secured Until the Late 2020s
McLaren has taken significant steps to secure its long‑term competitiveness by locking in both of its rising stars. Lando Norris is widely believed to be under contract until 2027, which guarantees at least two additional seasons with the team.
Oscar Piastri’s agreement is expected to run through 2028, giving McLaren three full seasons of continuity with the Australian driver. As a result, McLaren becomes one of only two teams on the grid with both drivers signed beyond 2026.
Aston Martin: Experience and Continuity
Aston Martin continues to rely on a combination of experience and long‑term commitment. Fernando Alonso remains under contract until the end of 2026, a timeline that will allow him to surpass 350 career race starts.
Lance Stroll is confirmed for 2025 and beyond, although the team has not disclosed a specific end date for his agreement. His tenure with the organisation now extends beyond seven seasons, making him one of the longest‑serving drivers with a single team.
Alpine: A Clearly Defined Multi‑Year Structure
Alpine enters 2026 with one of the most clearly structured contract line‑ups on the grid. Pierre Gasly is signed until 2028, which guarantees three more seasons with the team.
Franco Colapinto, who was promoted during the 2025 season, having replaced Jack Doohan after just six races into the season. The Argentinean driver, who made his debut with Williams in 2025 as a replacement for Logan Sargeant, is contracted until the end of 2026.
Haas: A Rebuilt Line‑Up for the Medium Term
Haas had approached 2025 with a refreshed driver pairing designed to provide medium‑term stability, having signed Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon.
The British rookie’s contract runs until 2026 and includes an option for 2027, which means he could remain with the team for up to three seasons. Esteban Ocon is also signed through 2026, giving Haas a consistent two‑year foundation as it continues its rebuilding process.
Racing Bulls: A Fully Contracted Red Bull Pipeline
The Racing Bulls line‑up is fully secured through 2026. Liam Lawson briefly drove for Red Bull early in 2025 before returning to the sister team, but he remains an integral part of the Red Bull driver development structure. The Kiwi will stay with the Faenza-based outfit for at least one more year.
Following Isack Hadjar’s promotion to Red Bull, Racing Bulls elected to sign F2 driver Arvid Lindblad for the 2026 F1 season. The British driver ended his maiden F2 season in sixth place, having recoded three victories.
Williams: A Blend of Experience and Ambition
Williams continues its long‑term rebuilding strategy with a combination of experience and fresh ambition. Alex Albon is signed until 2027, while Carlos Sainz joined the British team on a multi‑year contract that will see him race for the Grove-based squad until at least the end of the 2026 season. However, that contract could be extended until the end of the 2028 season if certain options are exercised.
Sauber/Audi: Preparing for the 2026 Transition
Sauber, which will become Audi in 2026, has secured both of its drivers through the transition period. Nico Hülkenberg is contracted until 2026, and Gabriel Bortoleto holds an identical agreement. These deals ensure that both drivers will be part of Audi’s first season in Formula One when the new power unit regulations come into effect.