Nine F1 driver spots that still need to be sorted out during the summer break
The F1 summer break is here, and there are still quite a few drivers whose futures aren’t settled yet for the 2027 season.
As of July, 12 drivers have contracts that go beyond 2026. These include Pierre Gasly, Gabriel Bortoleto, Nico Hulkenberg, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, George Russell, Max Verstappen, and Alex Albon.
Carlos Sainz’s contract with Williams ends this year, but he has the option to stay longer.
Keep in mind, even those with contracts might switch teams in 2027. For example, Verstappen, who’s been with Red Bull a long time and is signed until 2028, has been linked with leaving. Piastri is also locked in with McLaren until 2028 but has been mentioned as a possible part of a trade with Verstappen.
Franco Colapinto joined Alpine as a reserve driver in 2025, then got a full-time seat for 2026. The 22-year-old has had a tough time scoring points, managing 19 so far, with his best finish being sixth in Canada. Alpine’s boss said they want to see more from him before deciding whether to keep him after 2026.
Lance Stroll is another driver with a contract until the end of 2026. There aren’t any talks about his future yet, but since he’s the team owner’s son, his place feels secure. Stroll has been with Aston Martin since 2019 but hasn’t scored points this season. Still, he’s optimistic about the team’s long-term success.
His teammate Fernando Alonso, a two-time world champion, is also due to decide his future soon. Alonso revealed in May that he’ll make a choice during the summer break after talking with his family.
Esteban Ocon’s spot at Haas is uncertain after a difficult 2025 and 2026. He’s scored just three points this year and is behind his teammate Oliver Bearman. Haas is reportedly looking at Rafael Camara as a possible replacement. Ocon said discussions will take place over the break but has nothing to announce yet.
Bearman, who debuted full-time in 2025, is not yet contracted beyond 2026 but is getting attention from other teams, including Red Bull. He’s focused on his current role but admits the rumors are flattering. He’s also expected to join Ferrari soon, replacing Carlos Sainz.
Kimi Antonelli has had a fantastic season with Mercedes, leading the championship by a comfortable margin. Although his 2027 seat isn’t officially confirmed, Mercedes’ boss Toto Wolff expects both Antonelli and George Russell to stay next year, aiming for stability as they work on the car.
Red Bull’s sister team Racing Bulls hasn’t settled their 2027 lineup either. Rookie Arvid Lindblad has impressed during his first year, scoring points on debut and finishing in the top 10 several times. His contract ends this year, and he hopes to follow fellow racer Isack Hadjar’s path to Red Bull.
Liam Lawson, Lindblad’s teammate, also has a contract ending soon but has been performing well and wants a new deal. He’s currently ahead of Lindblad in points and is eager to sign again without waiting too long.
Hadjar has been strong for Red Bull in 2026, consistently finishing in the top six. The team boss says it makes sense to keep him.
Looking ahead, some other drivers might enter the F1 scene next season. Yuki Tsunoda, now a reserve driver for Red Bull, wants to return to racing after losing his full-time seat in 2025.
Nikola Tsolov, leading the F2 championship, is linked with Racing Bulls and could be the next to move up. Rafael Camara, also in F2, may become a Haas reserve driver, opening a spot for Jack Doohan.
In F3, Ugo Ugochukwu is attracting attention and could join Cadillac’s team. Colton Herta, who acted as a stand-in during practice recently, might compete for a seat too, especially with talks around Sergio Perez.
Meanwhile, Alpine’s reserve driver Paul Aron and Alex Dunne, who switched from McLaren to Alpine’s academy, might challenge for spots as well.
So, while some driver futures are clear, many decisions will shape the F1 grid for 2027 during the summer break and beyond!