2026 F1 driver line-up: The grid so far, and all the rumours

Here is a rundown of the contract situation of every F1 driver and team ahead of the 2026 season, including Cadillac as the 11th entry. 

We have included all the latest rumours about which drivers might get the axe, and which could swap teams for next season...

McLaren

McLaren already have their driver line-up for next year locked in place, with both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri tied down to deals which include the 2026 campaign.

Either Norris or Piastri are likely to be entering the 2026 season as the defending F1 champion.

Ferrari

Like McLaren, Ferrari also have both their drivers sorted for 2026.

At the start of 2024, Charles Leclerc signed a new long-term deal said to be for a further five years, running until the end of the 2029 campaign.

Meanwhile, superstar signing Lewis Hamilton joined on a deal understood to cover at least the 2025 and 2026 campaigns.

Red Bull

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen signed a long-term contract back in March 2022 to stay at Red Bull until the end of 2028.

After a long period of uncertainty Verstappen has now confirmed he will stay at Red Bull in 2026.

Verstappen's future was shrouded in doubt and the rumour mill continued even after the sacking of Red Bull boss Christian Horner.

Verstappen's perceived unhappiness had been reported for the past year. Mercedes were at the front of the queue.

Verstappen and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff reportedly met to discuss a move after the 2025 F1 British Grand Prix.

The driver of the second Red Bull car is still in question.

Liam Lawson lasted just two races as Verstappen's teammate in 2025 before being hooked, in favour of Yuki Tsunoda. But Tsunoda has struggled since he got the gig, too. 

Isack Hadjar is the favourite to earn promotion alongside Verstappen. 

Mercedes

Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell have finally been retained by Mercedes after a long-running saga.

Previously it seemed their futures might depend on Mercedes' interest in Verstappen.

Crash.net understands Russell's deal is a multi-year one.

Aston Martin

Aston Martin’s line-up is set to be unchanged for 2026. 

Fernando Alonso is contracted until the end of the 2026 season, while Lance Stroll effectively has the other seat for as long as he wishes to continue racing thanks to his father’s ownership of the team.

Aston Martin were also linked with a move for Verstappen but those rumours have coolled.

The arrival of Adrian Newey gives major hope to Aston Martin's drivers for 2026.

Alpine

Pierre Gasly will have one of the Alpine seats for 2026 after agreeing to a new multi-year contract extension last term.

But there is constant speculation about their second driver.

Jack Doohan's rookie campaign lasted only six races before he was axed from the seat.

Franco Colapinto, previously signed as their reserve and test driver having impressed at Williams, replaced Doohan in the car. But Alpine have always conceded they are continually monitoring his progress.

It is set to be a straight shootout between Colapinto and reserve driver Paul Aron for the second seat. 

Haas

Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman will form Haas’ new-look line-up for 2025 and they both have deals covering 2026.

Racing Bulls

Red Bull’s sister outfit Racing Bulls have no drivers signed up for 2026. 

Their drivers will depend first on the decision-making at Red Bull.

Ex-Racing Bulls boss Laurent Mekies has taken over from Christian Horner at Red Bull.

With Hadjar tipped for a move to Red Bull, Arvid Lindblad could be promoted from F2 and take his seat at Racing Bulls.

Tsunoda and Lawson are likely to battle it out for the other seat, but former McLaren junior Alex Dunne could also be a contender amid links he will be snapped up by Red Bull. 

Williams

Carlos Sainz agreed to join Williams on a multi-year deal and will continue alongside Alex Albon in 2026, unless a rumoured get-out clause is activated beforehand.

Audi

Sauber will become the Audi works F1 team in 2026, with Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortotelo set to stay put.

Hulkenberg committed to a three-year deal when he signed from Haas in 2024, while Sauber’s Bortoleto announcement referred to the reigning Formula 2 champion as a “future Audi driver”, suggesting his deal covers more than a single season.

Cadillac

Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez are the drivers signed up for Cadillac.

Cadillac initially suggested they wanted an American driver but this has coolled more recently. They then considered pairing a veteran with a rookie. Instead, they have gone for the two most experienced free agents.

As many as seven drivers were in the mix for Cadillac.

But the two lead contenders were Perez and Bottas and they duly got the nod.