The Formula 1 driver market is set to throw up some movements for the 2026 season, with current drivers looking to secure contracts and other talents searching for a return or first chance in the sport.
Red Bull have the most seats available for 2026, with Yuki Tsunoda and Racing Bulls pair Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson out of contract in 2025. It could become a bigger headache for the team as Max Verstappen is considering leaving Red Bull amid frustrations over development.
The Dutchman is being linked with Mercedes, who are also yet to confirm their drivers for 2026. George Russell is hoping to land a new contract, while teammate Kimi Antonelli could be loaned to Alpine, who have the final seat available next to Pierre Gasly for next season among the current teams.
Team2026 DriversMcLarenLando Norris and Oscar PiastriFerrariCharles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonRed BullMax Verstappen and TBCMercedesTBCAston MartinFernando Alonso and Lance StrollAlpinePierre Gasly and TBCHaasEsteban Ocon and Oliver BearmanRacing BullsTBCWilliamsAlex Albon and Carlos SainzAudiNico Hulkenberg and Gabriel BortoletoCadillacTBC
Then there is the issue of Cadillac, who will bring two more seats to the grid in 2026. Sergio Perez is almost ‘guaranteed’ to sign for Cadillac after months of negotiations.
The American outfit are talking with several candidates, with Valtteri Bottas and Mick Schumacher being heavily linked. Young stars Felipe Drugovich, Frederik Vesti and Jak Crawford are hoping to land their first drive in F1, but fans think there is one driver who deserves a chance that was never afforded to him.
Photo by James Sutton/Getty ImagesFans ‘don’t understand’ why Theo Pourchaire never got his chance to race in Formula 1
Motorsport.com posted via X (formerly Twitter) asking fans which driver they would most like to see on the grid. Many pointed towards 21-year-old Frenchman Theo Pourchaire, who has been overlooked for a seat since winning the F2 title in 2023.
Several people took to the comments to express their disbelief over how he never got the chance to race in F1. “Theo. Still don’t understand why he didn’t get his chance.” said one fan, while another echoed: “Theo Pourchaire!! Criminal he’s never had a shot at F1!!”
“The most talented one of this list is Pourchaire by far. Performed straight away in any of the categories he joined apart from Super Formula where he joined a messy team,” wrote one user.
Another fan pointed out the opportunities the Frenchman missed out on: “Theo Pourchaire was shafted out of a seat by Sauber and then shafted out of Indycar by McLaren. If anyone on that list deserves it more than anyone, it’s him.”
One user drew comparisons to Drugovich, who has also not had a chance in F1: “Pourchaire, because like Drugovich, they are f—–. F2 world champions and no one is giving them a chance, whole thing of being F2 World Champion makes no sense if THEY don’t get a drive.”
Finally, another fan added: “I would like to see what Palou, Pourchaire and O’Ward are capable of. Pourchaire especially, not because he is French (OK, just a bit) but because he was unfairly treated by Sauber/Audi and McLaren in Indycar. He clearly deserved a chance in both championships.”
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Photo by Kym Illman/Getty ImagesMcLaren CEO Zak Brown was impressed by Theo Pourchaire in IndyCar but he never raced in F1
Pourchaire emerged as a promising young talent in his F2 days. He signed for the Sauber driver academy, formerly Alfa Romeo, and won the title in 2023.
However, like Drugovich the year prior, he could not secure a seat in F1 after winning the championship. He remained as Sauber’s reserve driver in 2024, conducting tests and FP1 sessions, before Mattia Binotto named Pourchaire as an option for 2025 as Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu left the team.
However, the 21-year-old would be denied a seat by Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. Pourchaire left Sauber at the end of 2024 and has been out of the F1 paddock ever since.
That same year, he was afforded an opportunity in IndyCar with McLaren, replacing the injured David Malukas for five races. CEO Zak Brown was impressed by Pourchaire, but despite signing a deal until the end of the season, he was replaced by Nolan Siegel.
The Frenchman is now competing in IMSA, where he has already secured a pole position and a podium. Pourchaire seems to have finally settled in his racing career, but many still believe he should be given a chance in the pinnacle of motorsport.