{"id":373325,"date":"2025-12-28T15:44:15","date_gmt":"2025-12-28T15:44:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/373325\/"},"modified":"2025-12-28T15:44:15","modified_gmt":"2025-12-28T15:44:15","slug":"f1-driver-contracts-the-deals-in-place-for-2026-grid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/373325\/","title":{"rendered":"F1 driver contracts: the deals in place for 2026 grid"},"content":{"rendered":"

As Formula\u202f1 approaches the most radical regulatory change in years \u2013 with a full overhaul of cars and power units for 2026 \u2013 the silly season narrative has shifted.<\/p>\n

While all the seats for 2026 are already locked in, 2027 looks set to be the real battleground as many contracts expire.<\/p>\n

Some deals expire at the end of next season, while several other drivers have what are described as \u201cmulti-year\u201d contracts, which typically have extension clauses which may or may not be activated at the end of the year..<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a driver\u2011by\u2011driver breakdown of the current landscape, what their deals look like, and where key talents might end up if performance or opportunities push them toward new horizons.<\/p>\n

McLaren<\/p>\n

\"McLaren-Mercedes<\/p>\n

Lando Norris \u2013 Multi-year<\/p>\n

World champion Norris, who has spent his entire Formula 1 career with McLaren, extended his contract with the British squad in 2024, with the official duration kept private. The team said the new deal was \u201cmulti-year\u201d.<\/p>\n

Oscar Piastri \u2013 2028<\/p>\n

Like Norris, Piastri has also only driven for McLaren in F1, having joined the squad for his debut in 2023. The Australian and the team announced a \u201cmulti-year\u201d contract extension early in 2025, securing the seat until at least 2028.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mercedes<\/p>\n

\"Mercedes<\/p>\n

George Russell \u2013 2026<\/p>\n

Russell\u2019s Mercedes contract was finally extended in late 2025 after many months of speculation about his future. The Briton, however, signed a one-year deal only, both sides leaving the door open for a change.<\/p>\n

Mercedes was known to have had talks with Verstappen before committing to a new contract with Russell, but the four-time champion\u2019s exit clause from Red Bull<\/a> could not be exercised and so both drivers stayed where they were.<\/p>\n

Kimi Antonelli \u2013 2026<\/p>\n

Antonelli also had to wait until October to secure a new contract with Mercedes, the deal including a one-year commitment.<\/p>\n

However, the 19-year-old Italian is a long-term bet made by Toto Wolff, so his future should be secure for a while as long as he keeps progressing as his team boss hopes he will.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Red Bull<\/p>\n

\"Max<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen \u2013 2028<\/p>\n

Verstappen committed long-term to Red Bull in 2023, but his future at the Milton Keynes team looked uncertain for a big part of 2025 as its car proved no match to the McLaren.<\/p>\n

As it has been well documented, the four-time champion had an exit clause in his contract, but once that could not be triggered during 2025, the Dutchman announced his commitment to Red Bull and Mercedes re-signed both Russell and Antonelli.<\/p>\n

Verstappen still has several years of his Red Bull contract left, but if the 2026 car fails to be a championship contender, speculation about his future will be a topic once more.<\/p>\n

Isack Hadjar \u2013 2026<\/p>\n

Hadjar will partner Verstappen after getting promoted for 2026, Red Bull announcing he would be in its line-up next year without further mention about the length of the contract.<\/p>\n

Hadjar\u2019s future beyond that is likely to be determined by how he performs during his sophomore year in F1.<\/p>\n

It remains to be seen how Red Bull approaches its drivers now that both Christian Horner and Helmut Marko are gone, and whether its ruthless attitude continues to be the norm.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ferrari<\/p>\n

\"Ferrari<\/p>\n

Charles Leclerc \u2013 Multi-year<\/p>\n

Leclerc signed a new deal with Ferrari in 2024, but its length is unknown, the Monegasque saying it was for \u201cseveral more seasons\u201d.<\/p>\n

2026, however, is likely to test his loyalty to Maranello should the team not supply him with a winning car after years of near-misses.<\/p>\n

Lewis Hamilton \u2013 2026<\/p>\n

The seven-time champion joined the Scuderia in 2025 on a multi-year deal of unspecified length, although it is widely believed to expire at the end of 2026.<\/p>\n

Having endured his worst F1 season in 2025, Hamilton\u2019s future was the source of plenty of speculation, particularly if he and Ferrari fail to bounce back from their disastrous first year together.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Williams<\/p>\n

\"Williams-Mercedes<\/p>\n

Alex Albon \u2013 Multi-year<\/p>\n

Albon signed a \u201cmulti-year\u201d extension of his Williams contract in 2024 that will keep him at the Grove squad until at least the end of 2026.<\/p>\n

His strong 2025 season has made him a wanted driver, but for the time being, he appears unlikely to be going anywhere.<\/p>\n

Carlos Sainz \u2013 2026<\/p>\n

The Spaniard is also tied to Williams through at least 2026, having joined the team on a multi-year deal for the start of 2025.<\/p>\n

A shaky start to his first year at Williams triggered some questions about the move, but then Sainz became one of the stars in the latter part of the season, securing two podiums and clearing all doubts about his future.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Racing Bulls<\/p>\n

\"Arvid<\/p>\n

Liam Lawson \u2013 2026<\/p>\n

Lawson started 2025 with Red Bull but was \u2018demoted\u2019 to Racing Bulls after just two races. The move proved to be a blessing in disguise as the New Zealander found form and managed to secure his future for 2026.<\/p>\n

His replacement Yuki Tsunoda<\/a> wasn\u2019t that fortunate and, after struggling alongside Verstappen, lost his drive.<\/p>\n

Arvid Lindblad \u2013 2026<\/p>\n

The only rookie on the grid in 2026, Lindblad is the Red Bull junior team\u2019s 20th driver to reach Formula 1.<\/p>\n

Both he and Lawson were announced as Racing Bulls\u2019 drivers for 2026 only, and their future beyond that will very much depend on their performances throughout the year.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Aston Martin<\/p>\n

\"Fernando<\/p>\n

Fernando Alonso \u2013 2026<\/p>\n

Alonso will turn 45 and become a father in 2026, but his commitment remains intact and he is desperate for a competitive car before he finally retires.<\/p>\n

The two-time champion has said he can stay at Aston Martin for as long as he wants, stating that \u201cmy contract is much longer than my racing career\u201d.<\/p>\n

Should Aston produce a winning car under Adrian Newey\u2019s leadership, Alonso could feel tempted to race on until he\u2019s closer to 50.<\/p>\n

Lance Stroll \u2013 2026<\/p>\n

Like Alonso, Stroll can probably stay at Aston Martin as long as he wants, his future never in doubt despite a very inconsistent 2025.<\/p>\n

As the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll, the Canadian driver is locked in for 2026 and beyond.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Haas<\/p>\n

\"Haas-Ferrari<\/p>\n

Oliver Bearman \u2013 2026<\/p>\n

Bearman joined Haas for 2025 and has a contract until the end of 2026.<\/p>\n

The Briton, however, remains a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy and is widely regarded as the Scuderia\u2019s leading junior prospect and speculation has already linked him with Hamilton\u2019s seat should the seven-time champion not find his old form.<\/p>\n

Esteban Ocon \u2013 2026<\/p>\n

Having also joined Haas for 2025, Ocon\u2019s contracts run until the end of 2026.<\/p>\n

His first year with the American squad was far from stellar and he was overshadowed by his team-mate, so Ocon will be keen to raise his game in 2026 to secure his future beyond that.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Audi<\/p>\n

\"Sauber-Ferrari<\/p>\n

Nico H\u00fclkenberg \u2013 Multi-year<\/p>\n

One of the oldest drivers on the grid, H\u00fclkenberg joined Sauber<\/a> on a multi-year deal that will see him lead Audi\u2019s project now that the German carmaker has taken over the Hinwil squad.<\/p>\n

While the length of his contract is unknown, logic suggests H\u00fclkenberg could be racing for Audi into his 40s.<\/p>\n

Gabriel Bortoleto \u2013 Multi-year<\/p>\n

Another driver signed by Sauber before it turned into Audi, Bortoleto has a multi-year contract that will see him at the German squad until at least the end of 2026.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alpine<\/p>\n

\"TV<\/p>\n

Pierre Gasly \u2013 2028<\/p>\n

Despite Alpine enduring one of its worst seasons in 2025, Gasly committed to a long-term deal with the French squad in September.<\/p>\n

The deal will see Gasly stay on until 2028.<\/p>\n

Franco Colapinto \u2013 2026<\/p>\n

Colapinto, who replaced Jack Doohan at Alpine midway through 2025, earned a one-year extension despite being the only full-time driver who didn\u2019t score a point.<\/p>\n

There were times when Colapinto faced an uncertain future, but in the end the team picked him over reserve Paul Aron.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cadillac<\/p>\n

\"Valtteri<\/p>\n

Sergio Perez \u2013 Multi-year<\/p>\n

Perez will return to the grid in 2026 as part of Cadillac\u2019s line-up for its debut season in Formula 1.<\/p>\n

Although no details about his contract were revealed, the Mexican is believed to have signed a multi-year deal.<\/p>\n

Valtteri Bottas \u2013 Multi-year<\/p>\n

Bottas also returns to Formula 1 after a year on the sidelines with a multi-year agreement to help Cadillac\u2019s project get off the ground.<\/p>\n

The long-term future of both the Finn and Perez is likely to depend on how quickly Colton Herta gets up to speed in F2, as Cadillac will be keen to have an American driver in its line-up as soon as possible.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As Formula\u202f1 approaches the most radical regulatory change in years \u2013 with a full overhaul of cars and…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":373326,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[441],"tags":[49,48,578,131193,576,577,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-373325","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-formula-1","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-f1","11":"tag-f1-2026","12":"tag-formula-1","13":"tag-formula1","14":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/373325","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=373325"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/373325\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/373326"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=373325"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=373325"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=373325"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}