Even with a new team arriving and two drivers returning, the 2026 Formula 1 grid looked remarkably stable on paper. But as The Race reports, that tranquility might be entirely short-lived because more than half the field is currently staring down the barrel of expiring contracts by the end of the year. Let us break down exactly where everyone stands.
At McLaren, the future is locked down tight. Lando Norris signed a massive deal through to 2030 in late-August, right when the defending F1 champion was busy winning the two most recent grands prix. Oscar Piastri, meanwhile, is tied down until the end of 2028 at least after inking a multi-year extension in March 2025. Over at Mercedes, the two title protagonists were only confirmed in October last year, with George Russell's arrangement understood to run into 2027 and Kimi Antonelli contracted for 2026.
Red Bull finally put an end to months of speculation right before the Dutch GP by announcing that four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen has agreed a new deal keeping him at the team until 2030. Alongside him, Isack Hadjar—brought in at the expense of Yuki Tsunoda—had his contract renewed for 2027 in September. Ferrari played it slightly more creatively with Charles Leclerc, releasing an ambiguous statement ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix confirming he would continue wearing the team's colours for coming seasons. Because his previous deal ran until 2029, the new agreement stretches beyond 2030, making it the longest contract on the grid. Lewis Hamilton, whose length was never made official, stated at the Canadian GP that he is committed at least until the end of 2027.
Williams used the week before the Dutch GP to announce extensions for both of their drivers beyond the end of the 2026 season. Alex Albon's confirmation relates to exit clauses rather than a brand-new racing contract, while Carlos Sainz agreed to a multi-year extension featuring options for forthcoming years. Down at Racing Bulls, Liam Lawson and rookie Arvid Lindblad are both currently without confirmation for 2027. Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are tied only until the end of a gruelling first year of the team's works partnership with Honda, while Haas drivers Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon are both contracted until the end of the current season, with Ocon expected to depart.
Audi is enduring a mixed first season in F1, pairing a decent turn of speed with reliability issues that have left them with just the two points Gabriel Bortoleto scored at the season opener. Following the team's transition from Sauber, Mattia Binotto confirmed in September 2026 that both 21-year-old Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg are under contract for the following year on multi-year deals. Over at Alpine, Pierre Gasly's deal stretches to 2028, and Franco Colapinto was retained in August 2026 for a second full campaign in 2027. Finally, grand prix veterans Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas were signed on multi-year deals to lead the new Cadillac team. Perez has generally been the more impressive, though rumours that Bottas's seat was at risk appear wide of the mark.
