The hunt for confirmed driver seats on the 2026 Formula 1 grid continues as eight vacancies remain unsettled, with several teams evaluating contract renewals and potential new signings. Among these, Mercedes stands out as the leading team yet to finalize the futures of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, as uncertainty hangs over their contract renewals beyond this season in a crucial phase for the championship.
Meanwhile, Red Bull faces its own lineup dilemmas with Yuki Tsunoda’s status still unsettled, directly influencing prospects for Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls. Additional complexities involve Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, who must prove his worth to secure his place, and the imminent debut of new entrant Cadillac, which has yet to announce its driver roster. This overview details the ongoing contract negotiations and explores the key factors shaping the 2026 driver seats.
Mercedes Driver Contracts and the Impact of Verstappen’s Decision
Speculation surrounding the Mercedes driver lineup intensified earlier this year amid rumors linking Max Verstappen with a potential switch to Mercedes in 2026, a move that would have directly threatened George Russell’s seat and Kimi Antonelli’s position. However, Verstappen dispelled these rumors ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix by confirming he would remain with Red Bull under a contract that extends through 2028, though with certain performance-related clauses.
With Verstappen’s transfer off the table, Mercedes is widely expected to offer both Russell and Antonelli contract renewals. Despite this, the team is unlikely to make any official announcements before the next race at Zandvoort, leaving the status of these drivers temporarily in limbo.
Russell, reflecting the current atmosphere, indicated he intends to take a break during the summer, stating explicitly to Sky Sports F1 after the Hungarian Grand Prix,
“I’m going straight on holiday, I’m going to do 10 days off!”
—George Russell, Mercedes driver
He further reassured that neither he nor Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff have immediate concerns about the contract situation and emphasized the importance of rest before resuming negotiations, adding,
“I don’t want to rush it. I’ve been waiting 12 months. I’m not just going to rush it over the course of two weeks. We will sit down when the time is right.”
—George Russell, Mercedes driver
Russell’s comments suggest he holds a strong negotiating position, possibly pushing for a multi-year deal that secures his seat and preempts any future attempts by Mercedes to replace him, particularly with Verstappen in the picture for 2027.
Antonelli, aged 18, faces a more delicate situation. Though his current contract also concludes this year, and his on-track performances provide fewer guarantees, Mercedes retains faith in the young driver it helped advance into Formula 1. The team’s ongoing support could prove decisive as Antonelli awaits confirmation of his place in 2026.
Ongoing Challenges Within Red Bull and Its Junior Team
Since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure from Red Bull nearly seven years ago, the team has struggled to find a second driver who can consistently challenge alongside Max Verstappen. Yuki Tsunoda, as the current incumbent, has faced an uphill battle to match Verstappen’s pace and maintain his seat. The uncertainty surrounding Tsunoda’s future holds significant implications for other Red Bull-backed drivers, including Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar, who compete for Racing Bulls seats.
Red Bull’s team principal Laurent Mekies expressed the team’s current focus to Sky Sports F1 on both supporting Tsunoda and deciding on his teammate, saying,
“The priority is to give Yuki what he needs to perform. With regards to the second seat, that’s where the priority is. It’s what the team is concentrated on.”
—Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Team Principal
While Spa provided signs of improvement for Tsunoda, a difficult Hungarian Grand Prix has complicated evaluations, leaving Tsunoda’s seat far from secure. Red Bull has a track record of not reinstating demoted drivers, which dims prospects for Lawson’s return after his brief outing as Verstappen’s teammate. If Tsunoda can string together multiple strong performances, this may solidify his standing and maintain lineup stability.
If any Red Bull or Racing Bulls drivers lose their seats, it could open an opportunity for British prospect Arvid Lindblad, highly regarded by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko. Lindblad, currently competing in Formula 2, holds a strong karting pedigree and recently received a superlicence exemption to participate in first practice sessions at the British Grand Prix, signaling Red Bull’s investment in his development.
However, the uncertainties surrounding Red Bull’s competitive potential next year, amid the shift to new 2026 regulations and their decision to abandon Honda engines in favor of developing a Ford partnership, further complicate potential driver moves. Historically, new engine manufacturers face challenges matching the performances of established power units like those from Mercedes or Ferrari, making Red Bull a less attractive option for seasoned drivers.
Cadillac’s Entry and Its Driver Selection Process
Newcomer Cadillac, set to join the F1 grid in 2026 as the 11th team, is actively progressing driver discussions but has yet to finalize its roster. The team is backed by General Motors and TWG Global, notable for their interests in sports franchises such as Chelsea and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Cadillac’s addition creates two extra seats, and since their official entry confirmation in March, they have attracted interest from numerous prominent drivers. Team principal Graeme Lowdon revealed in an interview from the team’s Silverstone base that they are engaged in advancing discussions with several candidates and stated,
“Both the younger guys who have been coming up through Formula 2 and also the more established drivers who have a lot of Formula 1 experience. We talk to these people all of the time and we try and spend time in the paddock as well.”
—Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac Team Principal
Among top contenders for the seats are former race winners Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, both of whom lost their seats at the end of last season but remain active in F1 through support roles. Bottas, currently Mercedes’ third driver, stirred speculation by posting a video next to a Cadillac road car, teasing interest in a race seat.
Other names linked to Cadillac include former Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu and Aston Martin reserve Felipe Drugovich, expanding the pool of candidates juggling the final available rides.
The possibility of Cadillac signing an American driver brings 20-year-old Jak Crawford into the spotlight. Crawford, currently second in the Formula 2 Drivers’ Championship behind Alex Dunne, is enjoying his best season with several podiums and wins, making him a strong candidate to represent the team.
Alpine’s Seat in Question and Broader Grid Implications
At Alpine, Franco Colapinto faces a must-impress scenario to retain his place for 2026. The driver has the remaining final 10 rounds this season to convince the team to back him for another year. If Colapinto fails to secure the seat, drivers like Perez or Bottas could become immediate front-runners to fill the vacancy, further intensifying the driver market competition.
The unsettled driver contracts across major teams underscore the anxious atmosphere enveloping the paddock during this transitional phase. The approaching Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, scheduled for August 29-31, marks the resumption of Formula 1’s on-track action after the summer break, but contract decisions are expected to remain in suspense until after this event, maintaining uncertainty for fans and drivers alike.
