The 2026 F1 driver line-up is beginning to take a clear shape with several confirmations already in place but a few Formula 1 seats remain open, sparking widespread speculation.
The sport is on the verge of a transformative new era as it prepares for significant regulatory changes in engine and chassis design, making the 2026 driver market a high-stakes affair with strategic moves and long-term contracts shaping the grid.
Most teams have confirmed their line-ups for 2026 but six seats are up for grabs with only four months left to conclude the 2025 F1 season.
A standout development for 2026 is the entry of Cadillac as Formula 1’s 11th team, marking a significant expansion for the championship.
Cadillac announced an experienced driver pairing of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas for their debut season. Both drivers bring a wealth of Grand Prix experience to the fledgling team boasting a combined total of 527 starts, with 16 race wins between them.
Sergio Perez boasts 6 Grand Prix wins most coming during his Red Bull tenure and finished as championship runner-up in 2023, while Valtteri Bottas is a 10-time Grand Prix winner and two-time championship runner-up from his years at Mercedes.
The choice to go with experienced drivers like Perez and Bottas over younger Americans reflects Cadillac’s desire for immediate competitiveness and leadership on the grid, rather than waiting to develop a rookie talent.
This decision leaves a question mark for some other teams notably Alpine which saw both Perez and Bottas as potential options but now faces uncertainty in completing its lineup around confirmed driver Pierre Gasly.
Former rookie Jack Doohan was replaced mid-season by Franco Colapinto who came into the lineup as a reserve and test driver with promise. Alpine continues to monitor Colapinto’s progress as a candidate for the 2026 F1 season, but no final decision has been made public.
At Red Bull, Max Verstappen has confirmed he will remain with the team through 2028, under a long-term contract signed back in 2022.
However, the stability at the top end contrasts with uncertainty over who will be his teammate for 2026 as Yuki Tsunoda’s contract runs out in 2025, and given his continuous struggles to perform his presence at the team next year is not guaranteed.
Red Bull is renowned to be ruthless in sacking second drivers – with Sergio Perez and Liam Lawson getting axed in the past year alone – the second seat remains open with speculation swirling about possible candidates including IndyCar champion Alex Palou, though no official announcement has been made.
Red Bull’s junior team Racing Bulls is also yet to confirm its 2026 F1 driver line-up. Current drivers Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar both have contracts ending in 2025, leaving their seats uncertain.
Hadjar has been linked with a switch to the main team which seems highly unlikely, but just incase the Frenchman gets a call-up, his seat would most likely be taken by Formula 2 talent Arvid Lindblad who secured a superlicence exemption earlier this year.
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Mercedes have not yet confirmed their 2026 F1 driver line-up. George Russell and Kimi Antonelli both have contracts ending in 2025, leaving their Formula 1 seats technically unconfirmed for 2026.
It is believed Mercedes were courting Max Verstappen for a possible switch but fell through, which ultimately prompted team boss Toto Wolff to confirm they will be retaining Russell and Antonelli with formal announcement imminent.
Among the teams with fully confirmed line-ups, McLaren has locked in both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri on long-term deals that include the 2026 season.
Ferrari’s driver situation is also sealed for next year with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton confirmed. Leclerc signed a long-term contract extending through to at least the end of 2029, while Lewis Hamilton is tied to a deal that covers at least the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
Aston Martin’s driver pairing is also expected to remain unchanged, with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll both under contracts through the 2026 season and beyond.
Kick Sauber (Audi) has cemented Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto in their line-up. Seasoned driver Hulkenberg secured a three-year deal in 2024, while Bortoleto was signed to a multi-year contract.
Haas will continue with Esteban Ocon who joined the team on a multi-year deal and young Oliver Bearman staying through 2026 on a multi-year contract.
Lastly, Williams has Alex Albon locked into a multi-year contract and Carlos Sainz on a similar deal with options to extend beyond 2026.
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2026 F1 driver line-up so far
| Driver | Team | Contract length |
|---|---|---|
| Lando Norris | McLaren | Multi-year |
| Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 2026 |
| Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | Multi-year |
| Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | Multi-year |
| Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 2028 |
| Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull | 2025 |
| George Russell | Mercedes | 2025 |
| Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 2025 |
| Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 2026 |
| Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 2025 and beyond |
| Pierre Gasly | Alpine | Multi-year |
| Franco Colapinto | Alpine | 2025 |
| Esteban Ocon | Haas | Multi-year |
| Oliver Bearman | Haas | Multi-year |
| Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 2025 |
| Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | 2025 |
| Alex Albon | Haas | 2025 |
| Carlos Sainz | Haas | Beyond 2026 |
| Nico Hulkenberg | Audi | Multi-year |
| Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | Multi-year |
| Sergio Perez | Cadillac | Multi-year |
| Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac | Multi-year |
