Schock in der Formel 1! Die Vertragsbombe 2026 könnte das komplette Fahrerfeld auf den Kopf stellen
The F1 grid is heading into the summer break following the Hungarian Grand Prix. The month-long break is also synonymous with the “silly season”, which means that the drivers and teams often engage in contract negotiations, often leading to a domino effect on the grid.
So, let’s take a look at drivers whose contracts are ending in 2026 and who have a possibility of making moves and disturbing the status quo.
F1 driver contracts ending in 2026
Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton signed a lucrative deal at Scuderia Ferrari, joining the team in 2025 on a reported 2+1 contract. Now, Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has already confirmed that the Italian team intends to exercise the option to extend, meaning the 7x world champion is likely to stay at Maranello for at least another year.
But no official confirmation from the team has been made yet.
George Russell
George Russell reportedly signed a 1+1 deal last year, meaning that the Briton has a valid contract running through to the end of 2026, with an option to extend for a further year. Multiple reports have come out suggesting that the deal may have included performance-based automatic renewal criteria, which may already have been met, leading to Russell staying at the German team in 2027.
At the Austrian GP, Russell himself said that he will be staying at Mercedes in 2027 “100%”, while Toto Wolff also hinted that he is looking to keep his driver lineup intact going into next year. But until an official confirmation that Russell is staying in 2027 comes from the Silver Arrows, the 28-year-old’s future remains uncertain on paper.
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Kimi Antonelli
Kimi Antonelli is in the exact same boat as his teammate George Russell, having signed a 1+1 deal last year. It is difficult to see Toto Wolff getting rid of his prodigy at the end of this year, who currently sits at the top of the drivers’ standings with a 50-point lead to his name going into the summer break. But an official confirmation on this is also yet to come.
Isack Hadjar
Isack Hadjar joined the Red Bull team for the 2026 season, and has had a respectable start to life at Milton Keynes. Multiple reports have claimed that the Frenchman is all but confirmed to be staying at the Austrian team for 2027, but it is not officially confirmed yet.
Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz joined Williams F1 in 2025 on a two-year deal. This contract is set to end at the end of 2026, with the Spaniard’s future at his team less certain than the names mentioned so far on this list.
The Grove-based outfit has struggled in 2026 and sits ninth in the constructors’ championship, making Sainz’s future more uncertain than it had looked a year ago.
Liam Lawson
Liam Lawson has a valid contract for the 2026 season, with his future beyond this year unknown as things stand.
Arvid Lindblad
Arvid Lindblad also joined Racing Bulls in 2026 on a one-year deal, and has had an impressive rookie year. It has also been reported that the British-Indian driver has an extension clause in his deal.
Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso’s future beyond 2026 remains uncertain as Aston Martin has struggled in the new regulations era. The 44-year-old has said that he will make a decision on whether or not to continue at the British team beyond this year.
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Esteban Ocon
Esteban Ocon’s future remains uncertain, with his contract at Haas F1 concluding at the end of the 2026 season. Multiple reports have claimed that the Frenchman’s future is uncertain amid a difficult season.
Ollie Bearman
Ollie Bearman also reportedly signed a two-year deal at Haas F1 in 2024, which is also expiring in 2026.
Franco Colapinto
Franco Colapinto was re-signed by Alpine for 2026 on a one-year deal. Now, his future on the grid beyond this year remains in the hands of Flavio Briatore.
