The 2027 Formula 1 driver market is beginning to take shape before the main wave of official announcements, with Ferrari preparing to retain Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc while the futures of Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso could have a much wider impact across the grid. A substantial group of drivers have deals ending with the 2026 season, leaving several teams with important decisions to make in the coming months.
Ferrari currently represents one of the more stable situations at the front. Mercedes and McLaren are also moving towards continuity, but Red Bull faces considerably more uncertainty around its future line-up. Further down the grid, numerous expiring agreements mean one major decision could quickly trigger a sequence of moves. The wider picture can already be seen in the current F1 driver contract landscape.
Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso could shape the 2027 F1 driver market
Two of the most important names in the developing market are Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso. Decisions involving either driver could influence several teams, making their respective futures particularly significant before the 2027 grid is finalised.
Fernando Alonso is among the drivers whose current deals run out at the end of 2026, and his experience with the new generation of Formula 1 cars is expected to play an important role in determining what he does next. With a number of seats potentially becoming available, his decision could become one of the first major pieces of the market to fall into place.
Max Verstappen presents a different situation because the Dutch driver is contracted to Red Bull through 2028. Despite that agreement, his long-term future remains uncertain and he has yet to make a definitive decision on whether to remain with the Milton Keynes team. That uncertainty has already made the four-time world champion one of the central figures in the wider 2026-2027 driver market picture.
Mercedes and McLaren move towards line-up continuity
Mercedes appear likely to continue with Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Antonelli’s current agreement runs through the end of 2026, but he is expected to remain at Brackley for another season. Sky Sports F1 has also reported that Russell will continue with Mercedes in 2027, a position that has been echoed by team principal Toto Wolff.
McLaren’s contractual situation is even clearer. Lando Norris has a deal running until the end of 2027, while Oscar Piastri is tied to the Woking team through 2028. There has been speculation surrounding Piastri, including suggestions of a possible scenario involving Verstappen, but the Australian’s existing McLaren contract remains valid for another two seasons.
That stability at two leading teams reduces the number of obvious openings at the top of the grid, although Formula 1 contracts do not always tell the full story. Existing agreements, options and potential changes mean the 2027 top-team driver market remains an important area to watch.
Ferrari set to keep Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in 2027
Ferrari, meanwhile, is preparing to enter the 2027 season with the same partnership. Charles Leclerc has repeatedly made clear that he wants to continue with the Scuderia despite speculation over a possible departure. His existing contractual situation has been described as running through 2028, while a further renewal was reached in June without Ferrari publicly revealing its precise duration. Reports have suggested that the arrangement could contain provisions extending the relationship as far as 2030.
Lewis Hamilton is also secure for next season and has confirmed that 2027 is set to become his third campaign as a Ferrari driver. According to Sky Sports, the seven-time world champion’s agreement also contains an option covering 2028, giving him the possibility of extending his Maranello stay beyond his first three seasons. Further details surrounding Hamilton’s potential fourth Ferrari season add another layer to the Scuderia’s longer-term planning.
That leaves Ferrari in a comparatively settled position at a time when several rival teams could soon be forced into more difficult choices. With both current drivers secured for 2027, the Maranello team can approach the next phase of the market without an immediate need to fill either race seat.
Red Bull face major questions over their future line-up
Red Bull’s position is far less straightforward. Although Max Verstappen’s contract formally extends to 2028, a decision over his future is still awaited. Team principal Laurent Mekies has introduced a series of upgrades as Red Bull attempts to convince its leading driver to remain, with an announcement over his plans expected soon.
There is also uncertainty surrounding Isack Hadjar, whose agreement expires at the end of 2026. His first half of the season showed promise, but competition for Red Bull seats remains intense. With Helmut Marko no longer part of the organisation, Hadjar still has to demonstrate that he merits a new contract as the team evaluates its options for next year.
Which other F1 drivers are out of contract after 2026?
The potential movement extends well beyond the leading teams. Eleven other names are identified among the drivers whose current agreements conclude at the end of the 2026 season:
- Liam Lawson
- Arvid Lindblad
- Franco Colapinto
- Esteban Ocon
- Oliver Bearman
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Gabriel Bortoleto
- Carlos Sainz
- Alex Albon
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
Pierre Gasly is an exception, with his contract running through 2028, while Cadillac’s two drivers have agreements covering the 2027 season. Elsewhere, Esteban Ocon and Liam Lawson could be among those facing greater pressure over their seats as teams begin assessing alternatives.
Haas has been linked with Leonardo Fornaroli and Rafael Câmara as possible future options, while the Brazilian Ferrari Driver Academy racer could also consider a potential Cadillac opportunity. Carlos Sainz could become another important factor if he ultimately decides to leave Williams following the difficulties he has encountered there.
With so many agreements reaching their conclusion at the same point, the 2027 grid could remain fluid until several of the biggest decisions are resolved. Ferrari already has continuity with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, but Max Verstappen’s Red Bull future and Fernando Alonso’s next step have the potential to determine how quickly the rest of the market begins to move.
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