F1 team lineups for the 2026 season – a constantly updated table with information about Formula 1 driver contracts. The descriptive part of this article also includes details about possible changes and transfer moves.
Read more Formula 1 calendar in 2026
As in previous years, I have prepared a text summarizing the F1 team lineups for the 2026 season. It was created in the same format as in previous years. The table contains only confirmed drivers and information about the length of their contracts. As further contracts are announced, I will update the table and add updates in the descriptive section. Below the table, in the aforementioned descriptive section, I have summarized the situation of each team as of June 9, 2025. For teams that have not confirmed their lineups by that date, I have written about their transfer possibilities.
The order of the teams in the table and in the text follows the constructors’ championship standings at the end of the 2025 season.
F1 team lineups for the 2026 season
The table only includes the names of drivers whose contracts are officially confirmed. Asterisks in the table are explained in the text for individual teams. By clicking on a driver’s name, you can check blog articles about them.
| Team | Confirmed driver | Contract length |
|---|---|---|
| McLaren Racing | Lando Norris | until the end of 2026* |
| McLaren Racing | Oscar Piastri | multi-year contract* |
| Mercedes-AMG | George Russell | until the end of 2026* |
| Mercedes-AMG | Kimi Antonelli | until the end of 2026* |
| Red Bull Racing | Max Verstappen | until the end of 2028 |
| Red Bull Racing | Isack Hadjar | until the end of 2026 |
| Scuderia Ferrari | Charles Leclerc | until the end of 2027* |
| Scuderia Ferrari | Lewis Hamilton | until the end of 2026* |
| Williams Racing | Alexander Albon | until the end of 2027* |
| Williams Racing | Carlos Sainz | until the end of 2026* |
| Racing Bulls | Liam Lawson | until the end of 2026 |
| Racing Bulls | Arvid Lindblad | until the end of 2026 |
| Aston Martin | Fernando Alonso | until the end of 2026 |
| Aston Martin | Lance Stroll | multi-year contract* |
| Haas F1 Team | Esteban Ocon | multi-year contract* |
| Haas F1 Team | Oliver Bearman | multi-year contract* |
| Audi F1 Team | Nico Hulkenberg | until the end of 2026* |
| Audi F1 Team | Gabriel Bortoleto | multi-year contract* |
| Alpine F1 Team | Pierre Gasly | until the end of 2028 |
| Alpine F1 Team | Franco Colapinto | until the end of 2026 |
| Cadillac F1 Team | Valtteri Bottas | multi-year contract* |
| Cadillac F1 Team | Sergio Perez | multi-year contract* |
Any predictions regarding the lineups in the descriptive section for individual teams will not be changed in the coming months. I only allow minor, cosmetic changes that will not affect the meaning of the predictions. I do this intentionally to see after a few months how the situation in Formula 1 has changed and whether the rumors and predictions from mid-June came true, or if there were surprising moves. Every new, confirmed announcement regarding a given driver will appear next to the respective team as an update below the descriptive section. This format of the article will later allow for a chronological reconstruction of the F1 transfer season.
McLaren drivers have long-term contracts and will continue to drive for the team in 2026. The Woking-based team does not like to provide specific contract lengths for its drivers, usually calling them “multi-year”, but based on various statements and unofficial reports, their specific length can be estimated. Oscar Piastri had a contract until the end of the 2026 season, but in March 2025, he extended it for further years. It was, of course, stated to be a multi-year commitment, but according to unofficial reports, the new contract covers even the 2029 season, so four more seasons. Lando Norris made a very similar move, but a year earlier, as he extended his contract in January 2024. We know that his contract covers the entire 2026 season, but there is also an option for the 2027 season. McLaren focuses on stability, extending contracts with its drivers well in advance, thus avoiding unnecessary transfer rumors. Piastri and Norris perform at a good level and are also very young, so this lineup could stay at McLaren for a long time, unless there is an internal conflict or a significant drop in form.
Mercedes has two of its proteges in its 2025 lineup whose contracts are ending. The most likely scenario is that George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will extend their contracts for the 2026 season and beyond. The only alternative seems to be Max Verstappen, but the chances of the Dutchman joining Mercedes as early as the 2026 season are very small for many reasons (details). We expect George Russell to sign a multi-year contract for big money, as he has become the team leader and can negotiate better terms. Kimi Antonelli, as a protege, is certainly bound by a multi-year contract, but its subsequent years will be activated by the team’s decision. Theoretically, Mercedes should confirm the contracts with these drivers by just after the summer break at the latest. If this does not happen, it means something is going on behind the scenes. In theory, the backup option is Valtteri Bottas.
Update 15.10.2025 Russell and Antonelli will remain drivers in 2026, Russell signed a contract in a 1+1 format – Details.
Max Verstappen is the leader of the Red Bull Racing team, driving under a contract signed in early 2022 that binds him until the end of 2028. However, rumors regularly appear in the media that the Dutchman will shorten his contract, move to another team, or take a break from F1. Such a scenario cannot be ruled out, but in my opinion, there is a 95% chance that Verstappen will remain with the team for 2026 and make a decision about his future next season. The name of his partner remains open. Liam Lawson was demoted after two races in 2025 and was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda, who is recording poor results and is additionally associated with Honda, which will leave Red Bull after the 2025 season. Isack Hadjar seems to be a realistic candidate for promotion to Red Bull for the 2026 season. Red Bull will likely choose the second driver from among the three mentioned drivers. Any other name would be a surprise; it doesn’t seem they will be willing to reach for someone from outside their development program. Verstappen’s departure after the 2025 season would be a real revolution for this team; they would have no one to replace him.
Update 2.12.2025 Isack Hadjar will be the second Red Bull driver in 2026, Yuki Tsunoda moves to reserve – Details.
The Ferrari team signed contracts with its drivers in January 2024, and they cover the 2026 season. Charles Leclerc then signed a multi-year contract extending his ties with Ferrari. The team did not provide a specific length, but according to well-informed media, it is a conditional contract for as long as five years, i.e., until the end of 2029. The contract is said to contain early termination options, the most important of which will be after the 2027 season. Leclerc has been driving for Ferrari since 2019, so it is a truly long-term partnership. Lewis Hamilton signed a 2+1 format contract with Ferrari, which guarantees him a seat at the Scuderia until the end of the 2026 season and also includes an option for the 2027 season. Given the Briton’s age, there is a 95% chance this is his last contract in F1. In Hamilton’s case, much depends on the form of the car and himself in 2026. If the results are good, exercising the option for the 2027 season will be natural. If the results are poor, Hamilton may decide to end his career.
The Williams team focuses on stability, as its drivers have contracts extending beyond the 2026 season. Alexander Albon signed a contract in May 2024 that binds him to the Williams team until the end of 2027. The Thai driver has represented the team’s colors for a long time, and both sides were satisfied with the cooperation so far, which is why they extended it. At the same time, they blocked the possibility of Albon transferring to another team. Carlos Sainz joined Williams from 2025, signing a two-year contract for the 2025–2026 seasons with an extension option. James Vowles suggested in an interview that Sainz will remain with the team until the end of 2028, so he has a 2+2 format contract. According to reliable rumors, Sainz is said to have a termination option in his contract should he receive an offer to move to a top team, but we do not know the details of what that would look like.
The Racing Bulls junior team should see changes in its lineup in 2026. Arvid Lindblad, a very talented Red Bull protege who will be 18 at the start of the 2026 season, seems a certainty for promotion to F1. Lindblad is very highly rated by Helmut Marko; a failure to promote this driver to F1 would be a major surprise. Alongside him at Racing Bulls, a more experienced driver should drive, namely Isack Hadjar or Liam Lawson. Red Bull will first decide on the lineup of its main team; the driver who does not end up there will remain at Racing Bulls for another season. Yuki Tsunoda’s return to Racing Bulls would be a surprise; in my opinion, he will either remain in the main Red Bull team or leave them entirely.
Update 2.12.2025 Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad will be the Racing Bulls team drivers in 2026 – Details.
Read more F1 sprint calendar in 2026
Aston Martin is also a team that focuses on stability; its drivers signed contracts for the 2026 season well in advance. In the case of this team, in my opinion, there is a small chance of change unless an opportunity to sign a top driver arises or
