The situation of every driver’s contract

Here’s a rundown of the contract state of affairs of each F1 driver and group forward of the 2026 season, together with Cadillac because the eleventh entry. 

We’ve got included all the newest rumours about which drivers may get the axe, and which may swap groups for subsequent season…

McLaren

McLaren have already got their driver line-up for subsequent yr locked in place, with each Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri tied all the way down to offers which embody the 2026 marketing campaign.

Both Norris or Piastri are prone to be coming into the 2026 season because the defending F1 champion.

Ferrari

Like McLaren, Ferrari even have each their drivers sorted for 2026.

Firstly of 2024, Charles Leclerc signed a brand new long-term deal mentioned to be for an additional 5 years, working till the top of the 2029 marketing campaign.

In the meantime, famous person signing Lewis Hamilton joined on a deal understood to cowl a minimum of the 2025 and 2026 campaigns.

Crimson Bull

4-time world champion Max Verstappen signed a long-term contract again in March 2022 to remain at Crimson Bull till the top of 2028.

After an extended interval of uncertainty Verstappen has now confirmed he’ll keep at Crimson Bull in 2026.

Verstappen’s future was shrouded doubtful and the hearsay mill continued even after the sacking of Crimson Bull boss Christian Horner.

Verstappen’s perceived unhappiness had been reported for the previous yr. Mercedes had been on the entrance of the queue.

Verstappen and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff reportedly met to debate a transfer after the 2025 F1 British Grand Prix.

The motive force of the second Crimson Bull automotive remains to be in query.

Liam Lawson lasted simply two races as Verstappen’s teammate in 2025 earlier than being hooked, in favour of Yuki Tsunoda. However Tsunoda has struggled since he obtained the gig, too. 

Isack Hadjar is the favorite to earn promotion alongside Verstappen. 

Mercedes

Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell have lastly been retained by Mercedes after a long-running saga.

Beforehand it appeared their futures may depend upon Mercedes’ curiosity in Verstappen.

Crash.web understands Russell’s deal is a multi-year one.

Aston Martin

Aston Martin’s line-up is ready to be unchanged for 2026. 

Fernando Alonso is contracted till the top of the 2026 season, whereas Lance Stroll successfully has the opposite seat for so long as he needs to proceed racing due to his father’s possession of the group.

Aston Martin had been additionally linked with a transfer for Verstappen however these rumours have coolled.

The arrival of Adrian Newey offers main hope to Aston Martin’s drivers for 2026.

Alpine

Pierre Gasly could have one of many Alpine seats for 2026 after agreeing to a brand new multi-year contract extension final time period.

However there may be fixed hypothesis about their second driver.

Jack Doohan’s rookie marketing campaign lasted solely six races earlier than he was axed from the seat.

Franco Colapinto, beforehand signed as their reserve and check driver having impressed at Williams, changed Doohan within the automotive. However Alpine have all the time conceded they’re frequently monitoring his progress.

It’s set to be a straight shootout between Colapinto and reserve driver Paul Aron for the second seat. 

Haas

Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman will type Haas’ new-look line-up for 2025 and so they each have offers protecting 2026.

Racing Bulls

Crimson Bull’s sister outfit Racing Bulls haven’t any drivers signed up for 2026. 

Their drivers will rely first on the decision-making at Crimson Bull.

Ex-Racing Bulls boss Laurent Mekies has taken over from Christian Horner at Crimson Bull.

With Hadjar tipped for a transfer to Crimson Bull, Arvid Lindblad could possibly be promoted from F2 and take his seat at Racing Bulls.

Tsunoda and Lawson are prone to battle it out for the opposite seat, however former McLaren junior Alex Dunne may be a contender amid hyperlinks he might be snapped up by Crimson Bull. 

Williams

Carlos Sainz agreed to affix Williams on a multi-year deal and can proceed alongside Alex Albon in 2026, until a rumoured get-out clause is activated beforehand.

Audi

Sauber will grow to be the Audi works F1 group in 2026, with Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortotelo set to remain put.

Hulkenberg dedicated to a three-year deal when he signed from Haas in 2024, whereas Sauber’s Bortoleto announcement referred to the reigning System 2 champion as a “future Audi driver”, suggesting his deal covers greater than a single season.

Cadillac

Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez are the drivers signed up for Cadillac.

Cadillac initially advised they wished an American driver however this has coolled extra not too long ago. They then thought of pairing a veteran with a rookie. As an alternative, they’ve gone for the 2 most skilled free brokers.

As many as seven drivers had been within the combine for Cadillac.

However the two lead contenders had been Perez and Bottas and so they duly obtained the nod.