The 2026 Formula 1 season arrives as the most significant regulatory reset in a generation, with radical new cars, overhauled power units and an expanded 22-car grid.

But as teams prepare to discover whether their technical bets have paid off, an equally compelling subplot is taking shape in the paddock: the driver market.

With as many as 15 of the 22 drivers on the grid potentially out of contract at the season’s end, the 2026 silly season could be one of the most intriguing in years.

The new regulations reset the competitive order, which means some established partnerships may be questioned, as others could have the chance to shine.

Contracts for some drivers – such as Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari and George Russell at Mercedes  – include unspecified multi-year terms, so their situations may be less clear-cut than they appear.

But for many others, 2026 is a season in which every race weekend doubles as an audition.

Here is every driver whose contract is known, or understood, to expire at the end of 2026, along with what lies ahead for each of them.

F1 drivers out of contract at the end of 2026

* Denotes a multi-year contract with an approximate or unconfirmed end date.

George Russell

George Russell’s contract situation heading into 2026 is intriguing: multiple reports indicate he is on a one-plus-one deal, meaning that while he has a seat secured for the season, options for a second year in 2027 may depend on performance metrics or mutual agreement with the team.

Mercedes has made no secret of its admiration for Max Verstappen, whose Red Bull contract contains exit clauses. Should those clauses become active and Verstappen become available, Russell’s future at the Silver Arrows could be under threat.

He himself acknowledged as much, stating that a 2027 seat was in his hands. A strong showing in the new era could settle the matter; a difficult season may reignite the Verstappen conversation.

Kimi Antonelli

Kimi Antonelli’s contract runs through the 2026 season, but Mercedes has confirmed it retains a long-term commitment to his development.

In the new technical era, his ability to extract the best from unfamiliar machinery will be closely watched.

The bigger risk to his seat is not only Antonelli himself, but the wider Verstappen scenario. If the four-time champion swaps teams, Antonelli’s future could depend on how willing Mercedes is to move one prodigy to accommodate another, and on what Russell does after 2026.

Isack Hajdar

Isack Hadjar’s promotion to Red Bull for 2026 is the culmination of a rapid rise through the junior categories.

The 21-year-old Frenchman announced himself emphatically in his debut season with Racing Bulls, scoring points consistently after a difficult opening weekend in Australia and claiming a maiden podium at Zandvoort. He finished 2025 ninth in the standings.

Now tasked with partnering Max Verstappen – the role that has ended the careers of several promising drivers – Hadjar enters 2026 on a contract for the season alone.

The ruthless driver management culture that defined the Milton Keynes outfit for over a decade may be evolving, but Hadjar cannot afford to take anything for granted alongside the best driver in the world.

Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton’s debut campaign with Ferrari in 2025 proved to be a painful one. Ferrari’s SF-25 was erratic and difficult to manage, and Hamilton, by his own admission, endured one of the most frustrating seasons of his career.

At 41, questions began to be asked about whether the seven-time champion could still extract the best from a difficult car.

Hamilton’s exact contract length has never been formally disclosed, though it is widely understood to run until the end of 2027, with his own comments hinting at a rather long deal.

Whether Ferrari triggers any continuation options will depend heavily on how the SF-26, and Hamilton, perform in the new era.

Charles Leclerc

Charles Leclerc signed a contract extension in 2024 that was described as covering ‘several more seasons’, but the precise end date remains undisclosed. The latest understanding from multiple sources is that his deal runs until at least the end of 2026.

Leclerc’s loyalty to Maranello is genuine, but patience is not infinite. Should the SF-26 fail to deliver a credible title challenge, the Monegasque may begin considering his options.

At 28 years old in 2026 and entering the peak years of his career, he cannot afford another wasted cycle.

Carlos Sainz

Carlos Sainz’s first season at Williams in 2025 was difficult by his own admission, but improved significantly in the second half of the year as the team adapted and the Spaniard found his rhythm, finishing the campaign with two podiums.

His Williams contract is understood to run until at least the end of 2026. Given his recent performances and his value to a team genuinely building towards the front of the grid, an extension seems likely – provided Williams can demonstrate the new era will offer him genuine competitiveness.

At 32, Sainz still has years ahead of him and will be one of the most coveted free agents if his situation remains unresolved.

Alex Albon

Alex Albon has quietly established himself as one of the most dependable midfield operators in Formula 1. His 2025 campaign at Williams was arguably his best in terms of raw performance, regularly extracting far more from the car than its position in the constructors’ standings suggested was possible.

His ‘multi-year’ extension signed in 2024 is understood to run until at least the end of 2026.

The Thai-British driver’s calm temperament, technical feedback and loyalty to a team during its rebuilding phase have made him a genuinely valued figure at Grove.

Retaining him for 2027 and beyond seems the logical course, though a strong 2026 season could also draw interest from higher up the grid.

Liam Lawson

Liam Lawson’s 2025 season was a rollercoaster that few drivers could have endured without losing confidence.

Thrown into a Red Bull seat for the opening rounds only to be demoted after two bruising weekends, he returned to Racing Bulls and ultimately rediscovered something close to his best form.

He enters 2026 still at Racing Bulls and still with a point to prove. His contract for the season is confirmed, but his future beyond it is an open question.

Whether he can stay in Formula 1 beyond 2026 will likely depend on how comprehensively he outscores new team-mate Arvid Lindblad.

Arvid Lindblad

Arvid Lindblad is the sole new face joining the grid in 2026, the latest in a long line of Red Bull junior talents promoted to Racing Bulls.

Like most driver promotions in the Red Bull programme, his deal covers the immediate season with longer-term arrangements contingent on performance.

As a rookie entering a season defined by entirely new regulations, Lindblad faces a huge challenge.

His team-mate Lawson, with a full season of Formula 1 experience behind him, will serve as a useful benchmark.

Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso may be 44 years old, but he is approaching the 2026 season with a sense of genuine optimism as the 2026 regulations represent Aston Martin’s best opportunity yet to close the gap to the front.

For Alonso, this could be the competitive car he has been waiting years to drive.

His contract runs to the end of 2026 and, by his own admission, what happens after that will depend on whether the AMR26 delivers.

He has spoken candidly about not wanting to retire on a low – if Aston Martin gives him a car capable of challenging at the front, he will almost certainly continue. If the car disappoints again, he may decide to bow out on his own terms.

Either way, his future is entirely in his own hands.

Lance Stroll

Lance Stroll occupies one of the most secure seats in Formula 1 – his father Lawrence owns Aston Martin, meaning conventional commercial pressures scarcely apply to his tenure at the team.

His most recent contract extension was confirmed midway through 2024 and is understood to cover at least the 2026 season, consistent with the broader ‘and beyond’ framing typically used in official statements.

Stroll enters the new era knowing that if Aston Martin’s Newey-designed car is ultimately as competitive as the paddock expects, he will have the best chance yet of demonstrating what he can truly do.

His 2026 performances will be watched with particular interest given the team’s wider ambitions.

Oliver Bearman

Oliver Bearman secured a full-time Haas seat for 2025 on what is understood to be a ‘two plus one’ arrangement – meaning Haas has the option to extend his stay into 2027 if it chooses.

His 2025 debut season was steady, he regularly outqualified the car’s natural position (and his team-mate) and gained the team’s trust.

As a Ferrari junior driver, the Scuderia’s assessment of his progress will carry significant weight in determining his future.

A strong showing in 2026 – particularly if the Haas is more competitive under the new regulations – could make him a genuine target for a place in the Maranello squad.

Esteban Ocon

Esteban Ocon found a new home at Haas for 2025, his multi-year deal with the American team covering at least the 2026 season.

His 2025 campaign was solid if unspectacular, and his experience of working with small, efficient teams will be an asset during the technical transition.

At 29, Ocon is entering a phase of his career where consistent results matter more than ever, but much will depend on the competitiveness of its 2026 package and how strong he proves against Bearman.

Nico Hülkenberg

Nico Hülkenberg was brought in to Sauber to provide leadership and experience during the team’s transition into Audi’s works programme.

His contract is thought to run to the end of 2026, giving him at least a full season to help shape the team’s direction.

The 2026 Audi challenger will be keenly scrutinised: the German manufacturer has invested heavily in its power unit programme and the new regulations could, in theory, allow a new entrant to be competitive from the outset.

If the car shows genuine promise, Hülkenberg – now 38 – could extend his stint considerably. If it struggles, the team may eventually look to a younger candidate once the project finds its feet.

Gabriel Bortoleto

Gabriel Bortoleto, the 2024 Formula 2 champion, joined the Sauber-to-Audi project on a multi-year deal with the assurance that the team’s transformation would eventually put him in a car capable of fighting higher up the order.

His debut 2025 campaign was promising, if constrained by the car’s limitations.

His contract is understood to run through at least 2026, with the broader multi-year framing suggesting he is very much part of Audi’s long-term planning.

Franco Colapinto

Franco Colapinto’s path to a 2026 race seat was anything but straightforward, with doubts about his future surfacing not too long after he replaced Jack Doohan at Alpine.

Eventually, Alpine confirmed him alongside Gasly for 2026, and though the nature and length of his contract has not been publicly disclosed, he’s believed to have a deal that runs until the end of this year.

In 2026, Colapinto will need to demonstrate he has the consistency to justify a longer stay at Enstone.

Sergio Perez

Sergio Perez’s return to Formula 1 with Cadillac after a year on the sidelines is one of the most intriguing stories heading into the new era.

Released by Red Bull at the end of 2024 after a dismal final season, the Mexican veteran now finds himself in the unique position of helping launch an entirely new team with big ambitions.

His deal is understood to be structured as one year with an option for a second, making his 2026 performances the audition for his continuation, although a lot will also depend on how quickly Cadillac gets up to acceptable levels of competitiveness.

Valtteri Bottas

Like Perez, Valtteri Bottas joins Cadillac alongside after his own difficult period – his Alfa Romeo/Sauber tenure ended without the renaissance he had hoped for, and a year away from the grid gave him time to reset.

Now 36, the Finn’s deal is structured around the 2026 season with options for extension depending on how the team develops.

He and Perez represent a very experienced partnership, even if neither is in the form of their careers. How they measure up against each other will be one of the more fascinating sub-plots of the season.