The 2026 F1 silly season promises to be unpredictable and dramatic, with George Russell among the 14 drivers with deals expiring at the end of the upcoming campaign
14 F1 stars could be on the move in the 2027 season(Image: Mark Sutton – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Everything you need to know about the 14 drivers out of contract at the end of the 2026 season, including three top-level stars.
Mercedes : George Russell and Kimi Antonelli are both entering the 2026 season on the final year of their current deals. While Russell’s contract reportedly includes performance-based clauses for a 2027 extension, both drivers will be under immense pressure to secure their long-term futures with the team.
Red Bull : Red Bull’s newest addition, Isack Hadjar, is confirmed for 2026 but does not yet have a secured seat beyond that debut year. He will partner Max Verstappen, who remains the only top-tier driver with a long-term commitment reaching as far as 2028.
Aston Martin : Veteran Fernando Alonso and teammate Lance Stroll are both technically out of contract at the end of 2026. Despite their current status, both are expected to remain with the team as it transitions into a new works partnership with Honda.
Williams : Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon are both on “multi-year” agreements that reach their first major expiration point in 2026. While Sainz has options to extend further, the 2026 season will serve as a critical evaluation period for both drivers at the Grove-based squad.
Racing Bulls : Young talents Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad have been confirmed for Racing Bulls in 2026 on single-year arrangements. Their future in the Red Bull stable will depend entirely on their head-to-head performance during the first year of the new engine era.
Alpine : Franco Colapinto has secured a one-year extension with Alpine but faces an uncertain path beyond the 2026 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He will need to significantly improve his form to convince the team to grant him a long-term spot alongside Pierre Gasly.
Haas & Audi : Haas drivers Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman, along with Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, are all entering the final guaranteed year of their terms. Bearman and Bortoleto will be in high demand after strong rookie seasons in F1 last year.