Only one of the drivers at Formula 1’s top teams is expected to be on the move for 2026. It would be a particularly risky time to change teams, with unpredictable regulation changes on the horizon.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have no reason to leave McLaren, who have dominated the championship this year. Both drivers recently signed long-term extensions.
There’s some talk that Lewis Hamilton could abruptly retire at Ferrari after a dramatic downturn in form, but this remains unlikely. While Charles Leclerc’s deal includes an exit clause based on the Scuderia’s 2026 performances, it’s also the second-longest contract in F1.
DRIVERTEAMCONTRACTLando NorrisMcLarenEnd of 2028Oscar PiastriMcLarenEnd of 2030Lewis HamiltonFerrariEnd of 2026Charles LeclercFerrariEnd of 2029Max VerstappenRed BullEnd of 2028Yuki TsunodaRed BullEnd of 2025George RussellMercedesEnd of 2025Kimi AntonelliMercedesEnd of 2025The contracts of F1’s front-running drivers
Max Verstappen has decided to stay at Red Bull, but teammate Yuki Tsunoda is set to lose his seat. He, like Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, is out of contract at the end of the year, but the Silver Arrows duo are in line for extensions.
Max Verstappen ‘available’ in 2026 driver market despite contract running until 2028
Auto Motor und Sport have previously reported that Red Bull will allow Verstappen to leave for 2027 if they don’t deliver next year. This was an essential condition of the world champion agreeing to stay.
Verstappen again has an exit clause in his deal next year, this time holding Red Bull to an even higher standard. But based on AMuS’ latest ‘information’, that won’t necessarily matter.
They believe that ‘star driver’ Verstappen will be ‘available’ in next year’s F1 driver market despite the apparent security of his contract. He will effectively be able to choose his team for 2027.
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Red Bull will likely lose their ‘most important asset’ unless they address Verstappen’s technical considerations. He’s frustrated by the narrow ‘operating window’ of the RB21.
New team principal Laurent Mekies is under immediate pressure to solve this problem even though he’s inherited the plans made by Christian Horner.
Toto Wolff has a cunning plan for George Russell’s Mercedes contract
Mercedes have been the primary suitors for Verstappen up to this point, but they certainly won’t be the only team to make an offer.
Aston Martin are determined to land Verstappen and may need a successor for Fernando Alonso if he retires at the end of his deal.
But Mercedes are the most bullish team ahead of F1’s new era, and if they lead the way, they will naturally be Verstappen’s preference. Russell and Antonelli are unlikely to be safe for long.
Toto Wolff could ‘manipulate’ Russell’s new contract so he doesn’t overcommit. Despite the Englishman’s excellent performances, Wolff has the upper hand given the lack of appealing options available elsewhere.