A Market That’s Only Half-Settled
Formula 1’s 2026 season began with more than half the grid uncertain about where, or whether, they would be racing in 2027. A wave of announcements around the summer break has narrowed that list considerably, but plenty of names remain unresolved.
Now Confirmed
- Max Verstappen — extended with Red Bull through 2030
- Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon — both re-signed with Williams, detailed in our Sainz feature
- Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren lineups — already locked in for 2027
Still Unresolved
- Liam Lawson — Racing Bulls deal runs only through the end of 2026, covered in our full Lawson profile
- Isack Hadjar — Red Bull’s other seat remains a genuine question mark
- Oliver Bearman — Has a reported option for a third season at Haas, though a senior Ferrari seat looks unlikely to open up
- Esteban Ocon — His multi-year Haas deal is also due for renewal
- Yuki Tsunoda — Currently a reserve driver weighing F1 and IndyCar paths, as covered in our Tsunoda feature
Why the Midfield Matters Most
With the sport’s top teams settled, the real intrigue now sits at Haas, Racing Bulls and the second Red Bull seat. Haas has already used several drivers across practice and test sessions this year, suggesting genuine internal competition for 2027 places.
Watching for Updates
Expect further confirmations as the season progresses toward its December finale, particularly around the broader driver market and any fallout from Hadjar’s recovery timeline.
Conclusion
The top of the grid may be locked in for 2027, but the midfield remains genuinely competitive off track as well as on it — and the drivers with the most to prove are exactly the ones still waiting on a deal.