Daily News 19

Tag: 2027 F1 driver lineup

  • F1 Driver Contracts: How Long Is Each Driver Signed For?

    F1 Driver Contracts: How Long Is Each Driver Signed For?

    F1 Driver Contracts: When Each Formula 1 Deal Expires

    Details of Formula 1 driver contracts are closely guarded, although the length of many deals is eventually made public. Here is how long each current F1 driver contract is believed to run, along with the potential moves that could shape the grid in the coming seasons.

    McLaren

    Lando Norris — 2030

    The reigning F1 world champion recently announced a new four-year contract with McLaren, keeping him at the team until at least 2030. The agreement is also believed to include clauses that could extend the deal beyond that point.

    Norris joined McLaren as a junior driver in 2017 before stepping up to its F1 team in 2019. He became world champion in 2025.

    Oscar Piastri — 2028

    Oscar Piastri signed a new McLaren contract at the start of 2025, tying him to the team until the end of 2028.

    The Australian made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2023 after a hearing before the FIA Contract Recognition Board settled a dispute between Alpine and McLaren.

    Mercedes

    George Russell — 2027

    Despite Mercedes’ previous pursuit of Max Verstappen, George Russell remains confident in his place at the team. The British driver is contracted through the end of the 2027 season.

    Russell joined Mercedes in 2022 after three seasons effectively on loan at Williams, where he made his F1 debut in 2019.

    Kimi Antonelli — 2027

    Kimi Antonelli is also believed to have a Mercedes contract running until the end of 2027.

    The Italian replaced Lewis Hamilton in Mercedes’ driver line-up after Hamilton left for Ferrari in 2025.

    Red Bull

    Max Verstappen — 2030

    Max Verstappen and Red Bull announced a new contract at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. The agreement runs until at least the end of 2030.

    Verstappen became a Red Bull junior in 2014 and made his F1 debut with sister team Toro Rosso in 2015 at the age of 17. He was promoted to the Red Bull team midway through the 2016 season.

    Isack Hadjar — 2026

    Isack Hadjar’s Red Bull contract is set to expire at the end of 2026 after he joined the senior team from Racing Bulls the previous winter.

    The French driver made his F1 debut with Racing Bulls in 2025 and immediately impressed, highlighted by a podium at the Dutch Grand Prix. His performances led to a rapid promotion to Red Bull for 2026.

    Ferrari

    Lewis Hamilton — 2027

    Ferrari has often declined to reveal the precise length of its drivers’ contracts, but all parties have confirmed that Lewis Hamilton’s deal runs until at least 2027. With contract clauses taken into account, he signed a three-year agreement when he joined in 2025.

    Hamilton made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2007 and won his first world title in 2008. He moved to Mercedes in 2013 and won a further six world championships during his 12 years with the German manufacturer.

    Charles Leclerc — 2028

    Ferrari announced that Charles Leclerc had agreed to a new contract on the eve of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix, saying he would remain with the Maranello team “for the coming seasons”. The deal is believed to keep him at Ferrari until at least the end of 2028, with an option for additional years.

    Leclerc was a Ferrari junior and made his F1 debut on loan at Sauber in 2018. He joined Ferrari’s driver line-up in 2019 and has remained a permanent fixture ever since.

    Williams

    Alex Albon — 2027

    Alex Albon signed a contract extension with Williams ahead of the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, keeping him at the team until the end of 2027.

    The Anglo-Thai driver made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2019 before switching to Red Bull midway through the season. Red Bull dropped Albon at the end of 2020, and he spent one year away from F1 before returning to the grid with Williams in 2022.

    Carlos Sainz — 2028

    One day after Albon’s renewal was announced, Carlos Sainz’s future was confirmed with a multi-year Williams contract at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. The deal is believed to run until the end of 2028 and include contract clauses.

    Sainz has raced for almost half of the F1 grid since making his debut in 2015 with Toro Rosso. He switched to Renault in 2017, joined McLaren in 2019 for two seasons and then moved to Ferrari for four years. Sainz joined Williams in 2025.

    Racing Bulls

    Liam Lawson — 2026

    Like many Red Bull youngsters, Liam Lawson has largely worked on one-year contracts, and 2026 is no different. The New Zealander responded well after being demoted to Racing Bulls following just two rounds as a Red Bull driver and secured his short-term future with the team for the season.

    Lawson made his F1 debut in 2023 as an injury replacement for Daniel Ricciardo. In 2024, he permanently replaced Ricciardo at Racing Bulls from the United States Grand Prix, leading to his ill-fated promotion to Red Bull and subsequent return to Racing Bulls in 2025.

    Arvid Lindblad — 2026

    F1’s only rookie on the 2026 grid was handed a one-year contract to prove himself at Racing Bulls.

    The British driver has impressed during his debut season and appears set to retain his place on the grid for 2027.

    Aston Martin

    Fernando Alonso — 2026

    The biggest remaining question surrounding the 2027 F1 grid concerns Fernando Alonso. The 45-year-old agreed to a contract extension in 2024 that will keep him at Aston Martin until the end of the 2026 season.

    Alonso made his F1 debut with Minardi in 2001. After spending one year away from the grid as a Renault test driver, he returned in 2003 for a four-year stint that produced two world titles. Following an unsuccessful 2007 season with McLaren, Alonso returned to Renault for 2008 and 2009 before joining Ferrari for five years. He later had a second spell with McLaren amid its crisis with Honda and left both the team and F1 at the end of 2018. Alonso returned to F1 with Alpine in 2021 before switching to Aston Martin for 2023.

    Lance Stroll — 2026

    Lance Stroll is in the unique position of arguably having a timeless contract because his father, Lawrence Stroll, owns Aston Martin. He could therefore continue racing for the team for as long as both decide.

    A contract announced in 2024 covering “2025 and beyond” guarantees Stroll a place at least through the end of 2026, but the agreement is expected to continue indefinitely.

    The Canadian made his F1 debut with Williams in 2017 and spent two seasons there before joining Racing Point, which was rebranded as Aston Martin in 2021.

    Haas

    Esteban Ocon — 2026

    When Esteban Ocon joined Haas for 2025, the deal was described as multi-year, with options believed to cover 2027. However, neither the driver nor the team has so far indicated that an agreement extending beyond this season is in place.

    Ocon made his F1 debut midway through 2016 as a Mercedes junior with Manor. After the team folded, he joined Force India but lost his place in the line-up during Lawrence Stroll’s takeover at the end of 2018. After a year away, Ocon returned to F1 with Renault in 2020, remaining there until 2024 before moving to Haas.

    Oliver Bearman — 2026

    Oliver Bearman became a full-time Haas F1 driver in 2025, and his current contract is believed to expire at the end of 2026.

    The British driver made a surprise F1 debut for Ferrari as a substitute for Carlos Sainz at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. He made two further appearances that year with Haas, driving at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for the banned Kevin Magnussen and again for Magnussen at the Brazilian Grand Prix when the Dane was unwell. Bearman became a permanent Haas driver in 2025.

    Audi

    Nico Hulkenberg — 2026

    Nico Hulkenberg joined Sauber in 2025 ahead of its transition to Audi on a multi-year contract. The agreement is expected to carry him into 2027 if both parties agree.

    Hulkenberg’s F1 career began with Williams in 2010. After a year away, he returned with Force India in 2012, joined Sauber for 2013 and reunited with Force India the following year, staying until the end of 2016. Two seasons with Renault ended with Hulkenberg failing to secure a full-time seat for 2020 and 2021, although he made five substitute appearances for Racing Point and Aston Martin. He returned to a full-time F1 seat with Haas in 2023, spending two seasons there before joining the Sauber-Audi project.

    Gabriel Bortoleto — 2026

    Gabriel Bortoleto made his F1 debut with Sauber in 2025 ahead of the team’s transition to Audi. Like Hulkenberg, his contract is described as multi-year and is expected to be extended into 2027.

    Alpine

    Pierre Gasly — 2028

    Pierre Gasly signed a new multi-year contract with Alpine in 2025 that will keep him at the team until at least the end of 2028.

    Gasly made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso as a mid-season replacement in 2017 before completing a full season with the team in 2018. A brief spell at Red Bull in 2019 ended with his demotion back to Toro Rosso, where he remained until the end of 2022. The French driver joined Alpine in 2023 and has stayed with the team since.

    Franco Colapinto — 2027

    Franco Colapinto emerged as one of the biggest winners in a stable 2026 driver market, as limited movement elsewhere gave Alpine the opportunity to assess him. The Argentinian driver has consequently been retained by the Enstone team for 2027.

    Colapinto made his F1 debut with Williams midway through 2024 but found his path to a full-time seat blocked. He switched to Alpine for 2025 and again joined as a mid-season replacement, this time doing enough to secure a full-time contract from 2026.

    Cadillac

    Sergio Perez — 2027

    Sergio Perez secured an F1 comeback with the new Cadillac team on a multi-year contract that will keep him there until at least the end of 2027.

    Perez began his F1 career with Sauber in 2011, impressing enough to earn a McLaren seat for 2013. He moved to Force India in 2014 and played an integral role in saving the team from administration before joining Red Bull at the end of 2020. After a promising start in Milton Keynes, Perez was dropped at the end of 2024 before his contract expired. He spent 2025 away from F1 before returning with Cadillac in 2026.

    Valtteri Bottas — 2027

    Valtteri Bottas also returned to F1 with Cadillac. The Finn has a multi-year contract that is set to run until the end of 2027.

    Bottas made his F1 debut with Williams in 2013 before unexpectedly joining Mercedes in 2017. He helped the team win five constructors’ world championships before moving to Alfa Romeo in 2022. His three-year spell at Alfa Romeo and Sauber ended in 2024, followed by one season away from the grid before he joined Cadillac for 2026.

    Source: www.motorsport.com

  • Haas Completes Latest TPC Test as Focus Grows on 2027 F1 Driver Lineup Decision

    Haas Completes Latest TPC Test as Focus Grows on 2027 F1 Driver Lineup Decision

    Haas has completed its latest Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme, with Ryo Hirakawa, Leonardo Fornaroli and Rafael Camara driving the team’s 2025 Formula 1 car as scrutiny of its 2027 driver line-up intensifies.

    As the 2027 F1 driver market gathers pace following the summer break, Haas remains one of the few teams yet to formally settle its line-up for next season. Oliver Bearman appears likely to retain his seat, while Esteban Ocon’s future remains under review as Haas evaluates its available options.

    Haas assesses 2027 driver options at Portimao

    The American team conducted a three-day TPC test at Portimao from 26-28 August. Reserve driver Hirakawa shared driving duties with 2025 Formula 2 champion and McLaren development driver Fornaroli, as well as current F2 title contender and Ferrari junior Camara.

    All three drivers completed laps in the VF-25, Haas’ 2025 F1 car, at the Portuguese circuit. The test followed a similar TPC programme at Fuji last month, where Toyota-backed drivers Sho Tsuboi and Nirei Fukuzumi were given running time.

    Haas has not released further details about the Portimao test, but the programme forms part of its broader evaluation of interested drivers before the team makes a final decision on its 2027 line-up.

    Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team

    Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images

    “I think it’s really good that other people are actually interested in us,” Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu said ahead of the Dutch GP last weekend.

    “At the moment, we’re not performing so well. We cannot challenge for points, but I think it’s nice that other people can see the potential in us. Within the constraint how we’re fighting and we’re trying to improve the team. We just take it as a compliment that other drivers are interested.”

    Komatsu has emphasised that his immediate priority is maximising the performance of Haas’ car and drivers in 2026, suggesting the team will not rush its decision on the future pairing.

    Haas has frequently been among the last teams to confirm its driver line-up for the following season during its relatively short F1 history. With other teams expected to maintain stable driver line-ups for 2027, a similar timeline remains possible.

    “We’re not in any rush,” Komatsu said at Zandvoort. “We’re focused on our two drivers, Ollie and Esteban, trying to get the best out of them. They’ve got the tough challenge, right? You know what they are capable of.

    “Ollie has showed it repeatedly, Esteban, when he is happy with the car, you know what he can do. So we need to really just focus on providing them with the best possible car, best set-up adaptation, and get the best out of them. And then both of our drivers are fully focused. So at the moment, we’re focused on that.”

  • Red Bull Gives F1 Test to Protégé While Assessing Racing Bulls Driver Lineup

    Red Bull Gives F1 Test to Protégé While Assessing Racing Bulls Driver Lineup

    Red Bull has given Nikola Tsolov his first Formula 1 test as it evaluates its options for the 2027 Racing Bulls driver line-up.

    The current Formula 2 championship leader completed 690 kilometres in a VCARB 02, Racing Bulls’ 2025 F1 car, at Imola on Thursday. The session was part of the team’s testing of previous cars (TPC) programme and gave Red Bull its first opportunity to assess Tsolov in a grand prix car.

    Tsolov makes first F1 test appearance

    “Today was a really positive step for Nikola,” Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane said. “He adapted quickly to the car and showed the composure you want to see from a driver taking on an F1 car for the first time.

    “The outing is part of the ongoing development plan the team runs for its junior drivers, giving them the tools, the mileage, and the environment to develop. We’ve seen time and again what this pathway can produce, and it’s days like today that are part of how we keep building it.”

    Tsolov is aiming to become the first Bulgarian Formula 1 driver and graduate from Formula 2 over the winter. However, he faces strong competition to replace either Liam Lawson or Arvid Lindblad in the Racing Bulls line-up.

    “First TPC day in a Formula 1 car done, and I’m super happy with how today went,” Tsolov said. “I really enjoyed every lap and it’s difficult to put into words what it means to finally get this opportunity.

    Nikola Tsolov, Racing Bulls

    Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

    “A massive thank you to VCARB and the Red Bull Junior Team for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. It’s something I’ve been working towards my whole life, so to finally experience it is pretty incredible.

    “I still don’t think I’ve fully comprehended what we achieved today, but I enjoyed every lap and hopefully I’ll get the chance to add some more kilometres soon.”

    Lawson and Iwasa complete Red Bull tyre test

    Earlier this week, Lawson returned to action for Red Bull at a Pirelli tyre test after standing in for the injured Isack Hadjar at the Dutch Grand Prix.

    Lawson drove for Red Bull on Wednesday before handing over to reigning Super Formula champion and Racing Bulls test and reserve driver Ayumu Iwasa on Thursday. The New Zealander completed 116 laps with a best lap time of 1m22.297s, while Iwasa completed 117 laps with a best lap time of 1m23.414s.

    Audi and McLaren joined Red Bull at the Pirelli test at the venue of the 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix. McLaren ran on both Wednesday and Thursday, while Audi participated only on Thursday.

    Oscar Piastri completed 93 laps with a best time of 1m21.358s on Wednesday, while Dutch Grand Prix winner Lando Norris posted 115 laps with a best time of 1m21.899s. Nico Hulkenberg completed 121 laps for Audi on Thursday, setting a best lap time of 1m24.012s.

    The Pirelli tyre test focused on developing the three hardest compounds in the 2027 range.

    Source: www.motorsport.com