F1 2026 driver contracts: who is out of deal and when — the complete guide

More than half the grid is entering the unknown

Aside from the arrival of a new constructor and two returning drivers, the 2026 Formula 1 grid looked largely familiar at the start of the season. But the paddock's so-called silly season could be on the verge of its most turbulent period in years — with over half the field set to be out of contract by December.

The frontrunners: long-term security at the top

McLaren have their house firmly in order. Lando Norris, whose deal was announced in January 2024, is understood to be tied to the team through at least 2027, with the "long-term" language used at the time pointing beyond 2026. Oscar Piastri is even more secure, having signed a "multi-year" extension in March 2025 that is expected to run until at least 2028.

Max Verstappen is nominally tied to Red Bull until 2028, but that contract contains performance-related exit clauses — and the four-time champion has stated explicitly that he will walk away from F1 for 2027 if planned changes to the new regulations are blocked. His future casts a long shadow over the rest of the driver market.

The uncertainty zone: deals expiring in 2026

A significant portion of the grid is contracted only until the end of the current campaign, creating a fluid and potentially explosive transfer market.

Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes is one of the more intriguing cases. The teenager was only officially confirmed for 2026 in October last year, and while his performances have been exceptional, his deal technically expires this season. George Russell, his team-mate, is understood to be contracted through 2027, though the wording of his arrangement is said to leave room for movement.

At Red Bull, Isack Hadjar was confirmed only for 2026. He has matched up reasonably well against Verstappen in his debut season, even if the car's form has been a limiting factor.

Williams have both Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz on deals that expire at season's end — Albon's "multi-year" deal signed in 2024 covers at least 2026, while Sainz joined on a "two-year agreement with options to extend." That optionality is already being tested: Sainz's management has opened talks with Red Bull as Williams' difficult 2026 campaign raises questions over his medium-term future.

Racing Bulls have presented Liam Lawson and rookie Arvid Lindblad — who scored points on debut in Australia and added to his tally in the Canadian GP sprint — as their drivers for 2026 only.

Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are both contracted only through this season, making it a tense first year in the team's works partnership with Honda.

At Haas, both Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon are out of contract at year's end — and the situation there is particularly volatile. Team principal Ayao Komatsu recently had to publicly dismiss speculation of a mid-season rift with Ocon, though Yuki Tsunoda has emerged as a frontrunner to replace him in 2027.

The new arrivals and longer-term deals

Alpine's Pierre Gasly is locked in until 2028 following a mid-season extension, while Franco Colapinto — whose early-season form includes a seventh in Miami and a career-best sixth in Canada — is contracted only for 2026. Executive advisor Flavio Briatore has indicated Colapinto is on the right track to stay, but also wants flexibility should the Verstappen–Mercedes scenario materialise and shake up the market.

Audi has both Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto on "multi-year" deals. Hulkenberg's arrangement covers 2025 and 2026, with 2027 also reportedly on the table.

Finally, Cadillac — the season's new entry — signed both Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas on "multi-year" deals through to 2027. Perez has been the more impressive of the pair so far, though reports linking Bottas to an early exit appear to be wide of the mark.

With so many seats in play, the coming months promise to be among the most consequential in recent F1 history.