F1's 2027 Drivers' Puzzle: Who's Staying and Who's Out?

An F1 grid full of uncertainty?

Lewis Hamilton, portrait podium during the Formula 1 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix 2026

With the summer break underway, the Formula 1 paddock is bracing for a chaotic driver market. Reports suggest as many as 17 drivers could be out of contract at the end of the 2026 season, though the exact number remains unclear due to performance clauses and options that are rarely made public.

Only a handful of drivers hold deals that clearly extend beyond this season: Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton and Pierre Gasly.

Hamilton's Ferrari contract is understood to be a multi-year deal taking him through at least 2027, with some sources suggesting a unilateral option for 2028.

Verstappen's Future Could Be Settled at Zandvoort

Max Verstappen's Red Bull contract runs through 2028, but performance-related clauses could allow him to leave early. However, former F1 driver Robert Doornbos believes the Dutchman will finally confirm his commitment to Red Bull at his home race in Zandvoort.

Mercedes Looks Set to Keep Its Pair

Kimi Antonelli is leading the 2026 championship comfortably through the first half, making it unlikely Mercedes will let him go anytime soon. Toto Wolff reportedly expects to retain both Antonelli and George Russell for the 2027 season.

While persistent speculation links Verstappen to the Silver Arrows, the current pairing could be seen as the logical option.

Fernando Alonso

Alonso's Future: Stay, Go, or Alpine Return?

Fernando Alonso, who just turned 45 years old, is out of contract at year's end. Despite Aston Martin's difficult 2026 campaign, the two-time champion has brushed off suggestions of a move to a rival squad.

Many expect him to become an Aston ambassador and perhaps a sports car driver after his F1 retirement.

However, rumours persist that Flavio Briatore, Alonso's long-time manager and current Alpine Executive Advisor, is attempting to orchestrate a shock reunion with the Enstone team for an unprecedented fourth career stint.

Bearman: Ferrari Dream, But Not at Any Cost

Oliver Bearman insists Ferrari remains the dream, but he's not willing to wait much longer for a seat. With Lewis Hamilton established at Ferrari, Bearman could be open to moving to another big team.

He's also reportedly out of a contract at the end of this season.

Who Else Could Be on the Move?

At Williams, Carlos Sainz is reportedly no longer convinced by the team's trajectory, and there are also reports indicating that his contract runs out at the end of 2026. The Spaniard could be deciding his future soon.

At Haas, Esteban Ocon's underwhelming performances have intensified scrutiny. Racing Bulls could promote F2 prospect Nikola Tsolov, while Alpine has Pierre Gasly locked in, but Franco Colapinto's future remains uncertain.

At Cadillac, rumours about the continuity of their driver lineup of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez have come up, but both are believed to have signed multi-year deals to return to the F1 grid.

Related: F1 Teams 2027 Overview

About the author

Victor R.

Victor R. López is a Venezuelan journalist from Tumeremo who focuses on Formula 1 and motorsport. He covers driver news, race weekends and key stories from across the sport for F1-Fansite.com.

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