Esteban Ocon appears to be the only current driver not likely to return in 2027. Image: XPB Images
The Silverstone team became the latest to remove itself from the equation after Alonso committed to another season following months of speculation over whether he would continue in F1.
It follows a series of decisions that have already settled the line-ups at McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull, Williams, Alpine and Cadillac.
With Alonso now committed beyond the end of this season, Haas is the only team with a genuine vacancy capable of bringing a new driver onto the grid next year.
Mercedes, Audi and Racing Bulls are yet to make conventional 2027 line-up announcements, but none appears likely to change its current line-up.
At Mercedes, George Russell has already described his latest contract as a multi-year agreement, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli remains central to the team’s long-term plans after a breakthrough second season in F1.
Audi is in an even clearer position despite also avoiding a separate line-up announcement.
The team’s current duo, Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, arrived on deals covering multiple seasons, and team chief Mattia Binotto made clear in Azerbaijan that the 2027 pairing was already settled.
“We have no discussion about what the plan is for next season; our drivers were contracted, so we knew there would be no changes,” Binotto said.
“We really never announced what would happen next year because there was no need; we have a lineup that is confirmed and that we are happy with.”
Racing Bulls is therefore the other team without a confirmed pairing on paper.
Lawson and Lindblad have each strengthened their positions during 2026, while Formula 2 leader Nikola Tsolov has kept himself in contention after an F1 test with the team at Imola.
Even so, Lawson and Lindblad are expected to remain together, particularly after Lawson’s strong run of results and recent Red Bull call-up, alongside Lindblad’s encouraging rookie campaign.
The more significant uncertainty sits at Haas.
A third season for Oliver Bearman appears likely, but Esteban Ocon’s position has become increasingly doubtful after a difficult year in which he has contributed just three points to Haas’ total of 21.
Ocon openly described himself as available for 2027 during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend and confirmed he had been speaking with teams beyond Haas.
“At the moment, I’m definitely a free agent for next year,” Ocon said.
“There are things in discussion that are out of my control.
“There are certain topics that are out of my control. So, I will keep pushing until the end of the year and see how it goes.”
Ocon declares himself a ‘free agent’ amid Haas uncertainty
When the prospect of negotiations elsewhere was put to him, Ocon replied: “Of course.”
Haas has also used older machinery to assess possible alternatives, giving Rafael Camara, Leonardo Fornaroli, Jack Doohan and Ryo Hirakawa track time as it weighs up its options.
Team principal Ayao Komatsu said in Baku that no final decision had been made, but indicated the team was nearing the end of the process.
“We’ve done all the evaluation, we’re just waiting to summarise our findings, have a discussion internally with Gene [Haas] and make the final decision,” Komatsu said.
Komatsu has stressed that outright speed will be the first requirement for whoever gets the seat, while also placing importance on a driver’s ability to work closely with the wider team.
He also suggested Haas wanted the matter resolved within weeks, putting the second seat firmly at the centre of what little remains of the 2027 driver market.
Ocon would meanwhile have limited opportunities elsewhere if he is not retained by Haas, with a third-driver role appearing his most likely route to remain in F1.
Racing Bulls may still be awaiting formal confirmation, but Haas now appears to be the only team where a change is genuinely likely.
If Ocon does leave, the identity of Bearman’s next teammate could therefore provide the only new face on a 2027 grid that, much like 2026, is heading towards remarkably little turnover.