These Formula 1 drivers have a seat for 2026

For the Formula 1 season of 2026, 16 drivers are sure of their seat. The other 6 spots are still to be filled for the upcoming season. Who will grab the last spots?

Nothing changes at the dominant McLaren ahead of the 2026 season. Both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are bound to the Woking team for a long period of time, meaning the duo that seems to be heading for a second constructors' title in a row will also be racing in orange in 2026.

At Ferrari too, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are still under contract. The contracts of George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes are expiring, but the new deals for the two drivers will soon be announced by Mercedes, leaving only four seats left.

Who will be Max Verstappen's teammate?

The most striking seat is that next to Max Verstappen. Yuki Tsunoda does not have a deal for 2026 and is unlikely to get one. Isack Hadjar and Arvid Lindblad seem to be the two contending for the seat next to Max, but there is no deal yet. No driver is yet confirmed at Racing Bulls.

At Williams, Aston Martin, Audi and Haas, the driver duo remains the same as in 2025. These teams have secured their drivers for an extended period. Audi is set to debut in 2026, remaining the same team as the current Sauber.

Cadillac announced in August who the drivers will be for the team's Formula 1 debut. GPblog was the first to report that Bottas had signed a deal with Cadillac, followed by Cadillac's official announcement that Bottas and Sergio Perez would be driving for the team in 2026.

The last team with a spot to fill is Alpine. Pierre Gasly has a long-term deal with the team, but the same cannot be said of teammate Franco Colapinto does not. Alpine has enough of its own talents to choose from in Colapinto, Jack Doohan, and Paul Aron, although it's not ruled out that Alpine may opt for a driver with more experience for their first year with Mercedes engines.

The Formula 1 drivers for 2026