The Official F1 2026 silly season *contains speculation*

[vaud]

OK, continuing on my prior years…

Teams and drivers (based on naming as of Dec 2024) and using the short team names rather than entrant title. Contract expiry in brackets). I think this is correct based on some cross checking, happy to be corrected and will update.

So there is quite a lot of stability in contracts (and yes contract can be exited) for 2026 and a few gaps.

Alpine (Mercedes)

• Pierre Gasly (Multi-year contract until at least 2026)
• TBD (Jack Doohan announced as 2025 only for now)

Aston Martin (Honda)

• Fernando Alonso (2026)
• Lance Stroll (2026)

Audi F1 (Audi)

• Nico Hülkenberg ("multi year" from 2025)
• Gabriel Bortoleto ("multi year" from 2025)

Cadillac (TBD, likely Ferrari)

• TBD
• TBD

Ferrari

• Charles Leclerc (unclear other than “several more seasons”)
• Lewis Hamilton (multi year from 2025)

Haas (Ferrari)

• Esteban Ocon (multi year from 2025)
• Oliver Bearman (multi year from 2025)

McLaren (Mercedes)

• Lando Norris (2026 minimum)
• Oscar Piastri (2026)

Mercedes

• TBD (Kimi Antonelli was announced for 2025 only)
• TBD (George Russell expires 2025)

Racing Bulls (Ford)

• TBD (Yuki contract expires 2025)
• TBD

Red Bull (Ford)

• Max Verstappen (2028)
• Sergio Perez (2026)

Williams (Mercedes)

• Alex Albon (2026)
• Carlos Sainz (2027+options)

Races

Circuits are largely set - 19 under contract, no doubt some changes to those not under contract. Hard to see that China won't extend. Belgium/Dutch GP looks a bit more uncertain. Ditto Mexico. Not sure about Barcelona and Madrid, I see conflicting info that they will run both for 2026, though both seem to have a contract.

Contracted

• Abu Dhabi (2030)
• Australia (2037)
• Austria (2030)
• Azerbaijan (2026)
• Bahrain (2036)
• British (2034)
• Canada (2031)
• China (2030)
• Hungary (2032)
• Italy - Monza (2031)
• Japan (2029)
• Monaco (2031)
• Netherlands (2026)
• Qatar (2032)
• São Paulo (2031)
• Saudi Arabia (2030)
• Singapore (2028)
• Spain - Barcelona (2026)
• Spain - Madrid (2035)
• US - COTA (2032)
• US - Miami (2031)

Contracted for 2025 but not yet 2026

• Belgium
• Italy (Imola)
• US - Las Vegas (technically expires in 2025 but intent is to extend)
• Mexico

Edited for Netherlands and China.

Edited by vaud on Friday 6th December 10:24

[vaud]

Sandpit Steve said:

You’re not alone in thinking that on today’s news.

Zandvoort spent millions on the circuit redevelopment, and haven’t had much trouble selling all the tickets months in advance - so if they can’t make the numbers add up, it’s got to be because they’re half expecting a certain driver to be missing from the grid from ‘27.

I suspect it is simpler - F1 were open that there looked at all options including alternating with another track - my guess is it is that uncertainty and alternate year income that breaks the business plan.

[vaud]

Former Marussia Sporting Director Graeme Lowdon announced as General Motors F1 project Team Principal

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/former-...

[vaud]

Sandpit Steve said:

Cadillac said to be considering Danial Ricciardo for 2026, as reported in German newspaper Bild.

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/12/12/daniel-r...

It definitely makes sense for a new team to want to start off with experienced drivers who know how to win races. Valtteri Bottas also named in the article.

They are going to be at the back for a few seasons, so I guess it doesn't matter if the driver has lost a bit of their edge, but brings experience. Ricciardo or Bottas would be good PR material. Both good characters (Ricciardo constant smile and drinking from a shoe, Bottas with the mullet and zaniness)

[vaud]

732NM said:

If you are building a team to genuinely target winning championships, you don't recruit proven journeyman failures, you target the best you can. See Mercedes and Lewis.

True but who wants to run around at the back for 2-3 years while they get the team together? 2026 season is only 15 months away and by all accounts the team is only 1/3rd strength?

[vaud]

carl_w said:

But what's his succession plan for when Alonso retires?

Max?

[vaud]

thegreenhell said:

Some stories on the less believable news sites of Aston Martin offering Max a billion dollar long term deal.

I wouldn't be surprised. If Lewis can get $100m a year, a $1bn deal (maybe including share of the team as part of it) wouldn't be too crazy.

[vaud]

Muzzer79 said:

He could do that with Max but I think a billion dollars is very much exaggerated unless he's signing him for 10 years or something.

Could be "total possible deal size"

$100m/year + bonus for WDC
Equity in the team building each year based on future projected value

5 years plus options, you could get to a $1bn headline value for the papers.

[vaud]

Muzzer79 said:

Depends on how much of the team Stroll has left to give away in equity.

Plus, Stroll is rich, but $100m a year is still a big chunk of money. He won't fund it himself. He's certainly not getting it from Aston Martin.

Where's it coming from? Aramco? They only pay $30m a year at the moment. Sure, they can afford to pay more but it's a big hike.

Depends - lots of variables. A friend works for Aramco buying art and investing in projects, cultural exchanges, etc and whatever he asks for he gets - bottomless pit.

[vaud]

I suspect Mr Stroll can be ruthless when needed, especially if it adds hundreds of millions to the team valuation.

[vaud]

Muzzer79 said:

Besides, Verstappen now has 4 titles so; like him or loathe him, he has little more to prove. His motivation might be turning a weaker car into the best car.

Plus he is often quoted as not being interested in records. Just to drive.

[vaud]

I guess there is one way out for Stroll - to fund his seat in another team (or just out to WEC) and promise Max to be his coach?

[vaud]

I guess most wdcs will have them - they hold the cards. As with drivers who will have an exit clause if a top team come knocking on their door.

[vaud]

kambites said:

That's assuming that Stroll actually wants to continue. I get the impression he's getting a bit bored of F1.

Bored? In March:

"Aston Martin said Executive Chair Lawrence Stroll's Yew Tree Consortium plans to invest GBP52.5 million, raising its stake to 33% from 27.67%."

[vaud]

Sandpit Steve said:

davidd said:

vaud said:

Bored? In March:

"Aston Martin said Executive Chair Lawrence Stroll's Yew Tree Consortium plans to invest GBP52.5 million, raising its stake to 33% from 27.67%."

I think that is the car company not the team.

Yes, that is AML.

Source: https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/ASTON-M...

That piece also suggests that AML are looking to divest their holding in the F1 team.
(Insert joke here about that being the only time Aston Martin ever turned a profit on anything!)

Apologies, speed reading.

Either way I doubt he is bored after all of the investment and having secured Newey.

[vaud]

WPA said:

I cannot see any other team giving Max the same plus I doubt it would be as the no1 driver with the team built around him, his ego would never allow equal driver status so seems a complete non starter to me

Almost every team would want Max. He is the highest rated driver by the team principals most years (IIRC)

Aston would make him #1 in a flash. I suspect Daddy Stroll would even persuade his son to move on to WEC, and/or drop Alonso. Neither are the future of Aston.

[vaud]

FourWheelDrift said:

Is that replacing Alonso, because if it is and they are keeping Stroll Jnr on they'll have the same situation as with Red Bull, only one driver doing the business.

They could replace both.

[vaud]

hondajack85 said:

Max fans suggesting he would go to another team in 2026 without knowing its performance makes max look stupid.
Why do fans do this to their idols?

I don't support any driver, it's just some speculation.

Aston apparently have the most state of the art wind tunnel and manufacturing. Honda can be good at engines, and they have one of the greatest designers... easy to see the pull factors for Aston and the push factors from Red Bull.

[vaud]

Byker28i said:

Backed by Saudi money

Possibly before the Saudis buy F1.

[vaud]

Let’s face it any top driver who is nearing contract end, or has exit clauses is going to be talking and understanding all of the options.

Or to drive up their contract value