The wheels are already in motion for the all-important F1 2026 campaign, as the driver market starts to fall into place.
With relatively stable regulations since Formula 1 reverted to ground-effect aerodynamics in time for the 2022 campaign, F1 2026 marks the next major shift in the landscape, as all-new chassis and power unit regulations sweep through the series. A major change to the pecking order is likely as drivers turn to their crystal balls in hope of landing the prime seat, so with that in mind, let us take a look at the driver contracts in place across the grid as teams begin to piece their line-ups together.
Red Bull
Max Verstappen (contract until end of 2028)
Sergio Perez (contract until end of 2026)
It was already clear that Max Verstappen was an F1 superstar in the making and after his first World title triumph in 2021, Red Bull made sure to tie their star asset down to a mega six-year contract, keeping him with the team until the end of the 2028 season.
As for his team-mate, Sergio Perez had seen his seat as hot property on the driver market heading into the F1 2024 season when it was up for renewal, but he secured a fresh two-year deal after an impressive start to that season.
Mercedes
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Mercedes find themselves with a blank sheet of paper for their F1 2026 driver plans, with George Russell’s current deal ending after the 2025 campaign.
Who they choose to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton could also have a direct impact on Mercedes’ 2026 line-up.
Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton (“multi-year” deal starting 2025)
Charles Leclerc (deal “beyond 2024” widely reported to cover 2026)
Ferrari are believed to have their driver plans sorted for F1 2026, as the Scuderia take advantage of the growing trend of masking the number of years on their driver contracts.
Lewis Hamilton has made one of the most shocking driver moves in F1 history, penning a “multi-year” contract at Ferrari starting in 2025, which various outlets are reporting runs for two years, while shortly before that bombshell came the news that Leclerc had agreed a Ferrari contract extension, said to cover 2026.
McLaren
Lando Norris (“extended multi-year contract beyond 2025”)
Oscar Piastri (contract until end of 2026)
Sticking with the trend of withholding information in driver contracts, Lando Norris signed a McLaren deal that stretches into 2026 at the very least, McLaren perhaps wise to keep the official duration private considering the likes of Red Bull keep a watchful eye on the talented Brit.
And McLaren’s F1 2026 line-up is set with Oscar Piastri to continue as Norris’ team-mate, the Aussie holding a deal with an actual specified end date, keeping him with the team for 2026.
Aston Martin
Fernando Alonso (“multi-year contract” until at least end of 2026)
Lance Stroll (signed for “2025 and beyond”)
Lance Stroll had a rolling contract but Aston Martin confirmed a deal in June 2024 that will see him stay with the team for ‘2025 and beyond’, with the wording hinting at a multi-year deal with his team.
Team-mate Fernando Alonso will turn 45 during the 2026 campaign, which will mark the 20th anniversary of his last World Championship triumph, but is sticking around for Aston Martin’s exciting new works partnership with Honda.
Audi
Nico Hulkenberg (“multi-year” contract to cover 2026)
TBC
Plenty of intrigue surrounds Audi, as they join the F1 grid in 2026 to morph the Sauber team into their works outfit.
Nico Hulkenberg was signed as the first piece of that puzzle to manage the transition from Sauber in 2025, and rumours continue about who will partner him.
Alpine
Pierre Gasly (“multi-year contract” until at least end of 2026)
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Alpine announced Pierre Gasly signed a new “multi-year” contract that would take him beyond the end of 2025, meaning his contract logically takes him onto the 2026 grid with Team Enstone.
Williams
Alex Albon (“multi-year contract” until at least end of 2026)
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Williams have been able to nail down star driver Alex Albon to a long-term deal and ward off any potential suitors. A ‘multi-year’ deal was announced in May 2024 and Williams confirmed the new contract would take him into the new era of F1 with him.
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Red Bull has plenty of work to do in the driver market too, including over at their second team, where the impressive Liam Lawson is expecting to feature as of 2025.
What happens for F1 2026 remains to be seen.
Haas
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The Haas line-up may also be looking very different by 2026, with Nico Hulkenberg already leaving the team and Kevin Magnussen out of contract as it stands come the end of F1 2024.
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