Motorsport photoEd HardyTue, December 2, 2025 at 4:30 PM UTC·13 min readThe grid for the 2026 Formula 1 season is now complete after Red Bull announced changes across both of the teams it owns in the championship.
Isack Hadjar will replace Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull after a disappointing season for the Japanese racer, while F2's Arvid Lindblad will occupy the Frenchman's spot at Racing Bulls.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRead Also:
Isack Hadjar moves to Red Bull for F1 2026, Arvid Lindblad in at Racing Bulls
Has Red Bull made the right decisions on 2026 F1 line-ups?
These changes will come into effect when F1 debuts one of its biggest regulation changes in history, as cars will become lighter and smaller with a bigger emphasis on electrical power.
There will also be a new team added to the equation, as Cadillac will become F1’s 11th squad with two old faces returning to drive for the American outfit.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSo, here is how the F1 grid looks for next season.
F1 2026 driver line-up
Team
Driver
Contract ends
Team
Driver
Contract ends
Alpine
Pierre Gasly
2028
Alpine
Franco Colapinto
2026
Aston Martin
Fernando Alonso
2026
Aston Martin
Lance Stroll
Rolling
Audi
Nico Hulkenberg
2026
Audi
Gabriel Bortoleto
2026
Cadillac
Sergio Perez
2027
Cadillac
Valtteri Bottas
2027
Ferrari
Charles Leclerc
Multi-year
Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton
2026
Haas
Esteban Ocon
2026
Haas
Oliver Bearman
2026
McLaren
Lando Norris
Multi-year
McLaren
Oscar Piastri
Multi-year
Mercedes
George Russell
Multi-year
Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli
2026
Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson
Unspecified
Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad
Unspecified
Red Bull
Max Verstappen
2028
Red Bull
Isack Hadjar
Unspecified
Williams
Alex Albon
2026
Williams
Carlos Sainz
2026
Alpine 2026 F1 drivers
Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Franco Colapinto, AlpinePierre Gasly: Contracted until the end of 2028 Franco Colapinto: Contracted until the end of 2026
Alpine is well on course for its worst-ever finish in an F1 season, as it is bottom of the constructors’ standings after many comings-and-goings at the team. It started the year with Pierre Gasly and rookie Jack Doohan, but the 22-year-old was dropped just six rounds in having not scored a point and suffered avoidable crashes in Japan and Australia.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDoohan was therefore replaced by reserve driver Colapinto, who had joined Alpine following his nine-round stint with Williams at the end of 2024. The 22-year-old Argentine hasn’t fared much better than Doohan though, as he is also without a point but still signed for next season with the French outfit believing in his potential.
When Colapinto’s renewal was announced, Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore acknowledged that the team environment hasn’t exactly allowed his young driver to flourish. There’s been various changes in management, while the car hasn’t been upgraded since June with previous updates also not working as intended.
Despite all of that, veteran Gasly believes in Alpine’s potential and that was shown in September when the grand prix winner signed a new contract that takes him until the end of 2028, after joining the squad at the start of 2023.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAston Martin 2026 F1 drivers
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingFernando Alonso: Contracted until the end of 2026 Lance Stroll: Rolling contract
Aston Martin is set to start its fourth consecutive season with the same driver pairing, as Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are both signed for the 2026 campaign. Alonso, who joined in 2023, is contracted until the end of next season and what he does beyond is currently a hot topic given the Spaniard is 44-years-old and no longer in his prime.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRetirement is potentially on the cards, but a lot of that depends on how competitive Aston Martin is in 2026 and there is belief that it will be given the signing of legendary designer Adrian Newey, who will also become team boss next year alongside Honda joining as its engine supplier.
Read Also:
Why Newey’s F1 team principal move has been 30 years in the making
A good season is very much needed because Aston Martin has been firmly planted in the midfield the past couple years, failing to kick on from its strong start to 2023 when Alonso scored six podiums in the opening eight grands prix.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementStroll, who joined the squad in 2019 when it was known as Racing Point, is still looking for his first podium since 2020 but his future is more secure than that of his team-mate. Given his father Lawrence owns the squad, Lance effectively has a contract for as long as he wants.
Audi 2026 F1 drivers
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Gabriel Bortoleto, SauberNico Hulkenberg: Contracted until the end of 2026 Gabriel Bortoleto: Contracted until the end of 2026
Audi will complete its full takeover of Sauber when it makes its F1 debut next year. It will do so with the same driver pairing currently at the Swiss outfit, with Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto set to start their second season as team-mates after both joined in 2025.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThey have been key to the vast improvements seen at Sauber this year, after it only scored four points in the 2024 campaign. Hulkenberg, for example, finally claimed an F1 podium by taking third at the British Grand Prix and is on course for his highest points tally since the 2018 season with Renault.
Bortoleto, meanwhile, has impressed during his rookie campaign and although he only has about half his team-mate’s points tally, the 21-year-old has a better qualifying record. Both are contracted until the end of 2026 and right now there’s no reason for Sauber/Audi to want to change it heading into 2027.
Cadillac 2026 F1 drivers
Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, Cadillac
Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, CadillacSergio Perez: Contracted until the end of 2027 Valtteri Bottas: Contracted until the end of 2027
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCadillac has chosen an experienced pairing for its debut season, as F1 veterans Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas will race for the American outfit. It is understood that they are both signed to two-year contracts, with an option for a third, performance related.
Both Perez and Bottas certainly have points to prove. Perez was dropped by Red Bull at the end of 2024, following a poor run of form that saw him finish eighth in the championship while team-mate Max Verstappen won his fourth title. Bottas, meanwhile, didn’t have his contract renewed by Sauber having not scored a point last season.
Read Also:
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement
The start-up culture Cadillac is embracing before F1 debut
That didn’t worry Cadillac though, as CEO Dan Towriss revealed that the pair’s experience, a combined 527 grand prix starts and 16 wins, is a big plus for a start-up squad. It was then announced shortly afterwards that former IndyCar star Colton Herta will support the pair as a reserve, with Simon Pagenaud, Pietro Fittipaldi and Charlie Eastwood all signed as simulator drivers.
Ferrari 2026 F1 drivers
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, FerrariCharles Leclerc: Multi-year contract Lewis Hamilton: Contracted until the end of 2026
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 2025 F1 season has not been the campaign Ferrari hoped for, having failed to kick on from its runner-up finish to McLaren last year. Ferrari is yet to win a grand prix, has only scored seven Sunday podiums with the only highlight being Lewis Hamilton’s sprint win in Shanghai.
China-aside, it has also been a disappointing debut season at Ferrari for Hamilton, as the seven-time world champion is sixth in the championship and has been regularly beaten by team-mate Charles Leclerc.
Hamilton is still signed for next year though, as he has often stressed that it takes time to adapt to a new team because the SF-25 hasn’t exactly been built to his liking. He therefore hopes to put his “DNA” on next year’s car when the new regulations kick in and he will once again do it alongside Leclerc.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLeclerc has raced for Ferrari since 2019 and he is signed on a multi-year basis, with the 28-year-old recently confirming that he is only interested in winning his maiden world title at the Scuderia.
Haas 2026 F1 drivers
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamEsteban Ocon: Contracted until the end of 2026 Oliver Bearman: Contracted until the end of 2026
Haas, like Sauber, started the 2025 season with an all-new pairing that consisted of one veteran and one rookie. The 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix winner Esteban Ocon joined from Alpine, while Oliver Bearman graduated from F2 for his first, full season at the top.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBoth have impressed as well because Haas has outscored its points tally of 58 from last year, even if it might finish in a lower position due to the increased competition.
The obvious highlight is Mexico, where Bearman finished fourth and was running in a podium position for much of the contest, while Ocon has also delivered, having scored fifth in China. They will be Haas team-mates again next year, but what happens beyond 2026 is still unknown.
McLaren 2026 F1 drivers
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLarenLando Norris: Multi-year contract Oscar Piastri: Multi-year contract
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLando Norris and Oscar Piastri are both on long-term contracts at McLaren, which has enjoyed a significant upturn in the last few years. When Piastri joined as a rookie in 2023, the team had just finished fifth in the 2022 championship and started the following season poorly with no points in the opening two rounds.
But mid-season updates changed McLaren’s fortunes, eventually leading to it ending its 26-year constructors’ championship drought by claiming the 2024 title. Norris and Piastri have both been key to McLaren’s transformation and with them still young, Norris is 25 and Piastri is 24, it is understandable that they’re signed to long-term deals as they each chase their maiden title.
Norris signed his most recent renewal in January 2024, when it was announced as a ‘multi-year deal’ that is likely to run until the end of 2027. Piastri, meanwhile, put pen to paper in March 2025 with his ‘multi-year’ contract expected to expire in 2028.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMercedes 2026 F1 drivers
George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesGeorge Russell: Multi-year contract Andrea Kimi Antonelli: Contracted until the end of 2026
Mercedes dominated the 2026 F1 driver market after George Russell revealed in early summer that the Silver Arrows had been speaking to Verstappen’s camp regarding his future plans. There was thus debate over whether the four-time world champion would make the jump from Red Bull, and whether he would replace Russell or Andrea Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAlthough Verstappen’s contract runs until the end of 2028, it is understood that there were various exit clauses that had triggers around the 2025 summer break with one relating to his championship position. For example, if he wasn’t in the top three by that point then he could be freed up, but fourth in Spa ended that possibility.
So once that happened, Verstappen finally committed to Red Bull for 2026 which made it clear that Russell and Antonelli would remain with the German manufacturer. That was confirmed in October, with Russell signed to a multi-year deal while Antonelli’s future beyond 2026 is still unknown.
Read Also:
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement
The factors behind Mercedes sticking to its F1 2026 masterplan with Russell and Antonelli
The 19-year-old has endured a very inconsistent rookie campaign, as his sprint pole in Miami and Canada podium has been mired by several offs. Antonelli’s potential is still clear to see, while Russell has been near faultless this year as he is fourth in the standings with victories in Montreal and Singapore.
Racing Bulls 2026 F1 drivers
Podium: second place Arvid Lindblad, Campos Racing
Podium: second place Arvid Lindblad, Campos RacingLiam Lawson: Contracted unspecified Arvid Lindblad: Contracted unspecified
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRacing Bulls will hand Arvid Lindblad his F1 debut next year, as the 18-year-old Briton will make the jump up from F2 after just one season of the series. He is currently sixth in the standings with wins in Jeddah and Barcelona after being fast-tracked through the Red Bull junior programme.
He will partner Liam Lawson, who is set for his first, full campaign at the Faenza outfit after starting 2025 with Red Bull. He was dropped after two point-less grands prix though and has gradually rediscovered his form throughout 2025.
That didn't earn him a move back to Red Bull though, as the opportunity instead went to 2025 team-mate Isack Hadjar with Yuki Tsunoda being pushed onto the sidelines. The contract situations of both Racing Bulls drivers hasn't been officially announced, but they are likely to be deals that have them signed for 2026 with the option for 2027.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRed Bull 2026 F1 drivers
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls TeamMax Verstappen: Contracted until the end of 2028 Isack Hadjar: Contract unspecified
Verstappen is set for his 11th season at Red Bull after making his race-winning debut at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix. The 28-year-old has enjoyed an incredibly successful run during that time, with four world titles and numerous record breakings.
Following his maiden championship in 2021, Verstappen signed his current deal which takes him until the end of 2028 with it clear that everything at Red Bull is built around him. That has had a knock-on effect regarding his team-mates though, with Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Perez, Lawson and now Tsunoda all having struggled since Daniel Ricciardo’s shock departure at the end of 2018.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTsunoda was signed as Lawson’s replacement for round three of 2025 after four years at the sister team, but has faced similar struggles with the difficult-to-drive RB21. The 25-year-old is 15th in the championship - Verstappen is second - and that led to him being demoted into a reserve role for 2026.
He will be replaced by Hadjar, who will Verstappen at Red Bull after a solid rookie campaign which saw him score a podium for Racing Bulls at the Dutch Grand Prix. His contract situation is expected to be similar to that of Lawson and Lindblad.
Williams 2026 F1 drivers
Carlos Sainz, Williams, Alexander Albon, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams, Alexander Albon, WilliamsAlex Albon: Contracted until the end of 2026 Carlos Sainz: Contracted until the end of 2026
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEverything is more stable at Williams, however, which is set to continue with Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz into 2026. Albon joined at the start of 2022 with a broken reputation following his Red Bull struggles and an F1 sabbatical in 2021, but the Thai-Briton has since established himself as a very solid F1 driver leading Williams to the front of the midfield.
The 2025 season has arguably been his best yet, as he is eighth in the championship with consistent point scores and is ahead of new-for-2025 team-mate Sainz. Sainz, who has won four grands prix, joined after Ferrari replaced him with Hamilton and has had an up-and-down year, perhaps not delivering on what was initially expected.
Although he’s not been quite as consistent as Albon, Sainz does have a podium to boast having finished third in Baku and should improve next year when he has a car that was built with his input. Both drivers are contracted until the end of 2026.
Read Also:
Russell predicts “overtakes in obscure locations” with 2026 F1 cars
How Sainz's F1 Qatar GP podium illustrated Williams' progress from near-oblivion
To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
