F1 2026 grid: Who are the drivers racing next season?
While numerous teams have long-term agreements with their drivers – such as McLaren, Ferrari and Williams – some teams are yet to confirm their two drivers in the cockpit for 2026.
Meanwhile, American-owned Cadillac join the grid next year as the sport’s 11th team and have confirmed the signing of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas.
Flo Clifford2 December 2025 10:50
Hadjar ‘has the mental strength’ to compete with Verstappen – Marko
Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko is among those to have backed Isack Hadjar for promotion. He told Austrian outlet Kleine Zeitung in September: “He doesn’t make any mistakes and that’s really surprising for a new driver.
“He improves on every track and is fully involved after a few laps, regardless of whether he has driven there before.
“He certainly has this mental strength to be able to hold his own against Verstappen.”
(Getty Images)
Flo Clifford2 December 2025 10:35
18-year-old Lindblad, who was raised in Surrey, has impressed in Formula 2 this year.
He won the F2 feature race at the Spanish Grand Prix in June. Ahead of the season-finale in Abu Dhabi, he is positioned sixth in the drivers’ standings.
The Briton completed his first F1 test at Imola in February and took part in his first F1 session by taking the place of Max Verstappen in first practice at the Mexican GP in October, raising eyebrows with the sixth-fastest lap of the session.
Flo Clifford2 December 2025 10:20
British driver set for Racing Bulls move
The Red Bull/Racing Bulls quartet is likely to be completed by 18-year-old British driver Arvid Lindblad.
Lindblad has been part of Red Bull’s junior programme since 2021 and has shown promise throughout his junior career.
He won the prestigious Macau Grand Prix in 2023, before finishing fourth in Formula 3 in 2024. This year, he became the youngest winner in F2 history with his victory in the sprint race in Saudi Arabia back in April, a feat completed at 17 years and 243 days.
(Getty)
Flo Clifford2 December 2025 10:03
Red Bull to announce Verstappen’s teammate for 2026
The Racing Bulls line-up is also yet to be revealed, but Liam Lawson is expected to have done enough to secure his seat for next year after briefly enjoying promotion to Red Bull earlier this year.
However, he was demoted after just two rounds, but has since righted the ship at Racing Bulls.
Tsunoda, who replaced him in the RB21, is expected to miss out on a seat entirely.
(Getty Images)
Flo Clifford2 December 2025 09:49
Who is likely to replace Tsunoda?
French driver Isack Hadjar is expected to make the step up from sister team Racing Bulls.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed an excellent rookie campaign this season. He is currently 10th in the world championship after ten point-scoring finishes and he claimed his first-ever podium at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
Hadjar on the podium in Zandvoort (Getty Images)
Flo Clifford2 December 2025 09:31
Max Verstappen set for new teammate in 2026
The expected reshuffle means Japanese driver Tsunoda is set to lose his spot in F1 after five years. The 25-year-old could stay attached with engine manufacturer Honda and therefore act as a test driver for Aston Martin next year, though that remains to be seen.
(Getty Images)
Flo Clifford2 December 2025 09:15
French driver Isack Hadjar is expected to make the step-up to Red Bull and F1’s poisoned chalice seat after an impressive rookie campaign at sister team Racing Bulls.
Meanwhile, Liam Lawson is likely to be partnered at RB by 18-year-old British driver Arvid Lindblad, after the latter showed promise in Formula Two this year.
Flo Clifford2 December 2025 09:09
Red Bull to announce Verstappen’s teammate for 2026
Red Bull are to announce their drivers for 2026 today, with Max Verstappen widely expected to have a new teammate.
Yuki Tsunoda has failed to cement his spot at Red Bull after replacing Liam Lawson just two races into the season, with the Kiwi outscoring him since then despite being in the less competitive Racing Bulls car.
Changes to the Racing Bulls line-up mean 25-year-old Tsunoda is likely to drop out of F1 entirely after losing his seat.
Flo Clifford2 December 2025 09:08