FORMULA 1 TEAMS WITHOUT A CONFIRMED LINE-UP FOR 2026
The 2025 Formula 1 season has got to its summer break, and with a little less than four months of racing to end the year, there are still teams without a confirmed driver for 2026.
The situation of the top of the grid
Mclaren has more than dominated throughout the season, leading both driver and constructors standings with a comfortable gap from their closest rivals. For instance, if they keep their streak of 1-2 in races going, they will be able to score up to more than 1000 points in the constructors standings.
Nevertheless, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are both secured in the Papaya team until at least 2027 and 2028 respectively. It is worth remembering that contracts in Formula 1 can be broken, and it is not always 100% sure whether the driver will stay until due time.
The Scuderia Ferrari is also thinking on the long term. “Il Predestinato” Charles Leclerc, as called by Italian commentator Carlo Vanzini, is sealed by the team from Maranello until the end of 2027. The Monegasque has joined Formula 1 in 2018 with Sauber after winning both GP3 and Formula 2 in 2016 and 2017, he then immediately joined Ferrari in 2019 and will complete 9 years of an incredible story between him and the team at the end of the contract.
The seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is also engaged by Ferrari for the new Formula 1 regulations, until the end of 2026. However, Hamilton’s contract in Ferrari is the famous “two years +1”. A controversial clause that allows the driver to renew the contract for a further year if he is keen to continue with the team at the end of his commitment.
Red Bull’s struggles
The four-time world champion Max Verstappen has been under the radar of the journalists before the summer break due to a possible move to Mercedes in 2026. Seen the several praises around Mercedes’ new machinery for the new Formula 1 regulations, Verstappen was rated for a move at the end of this season, since the Dutch had a clause that would have allowed him to leave the team, and both Mercedes drivers still don’t have a contract for the next season.
Due to his results not complying to the ones agreed, the activation of the clause at the summer break was impossible, Verstappen could have only broken the contract (valid until the end of 2028) paying a high-fee to exit Red Bull. However, the Dutch told the media multiple times that he wanted to stay with the Austrian team, and possible moves will be discussed in the following years, also stating that he is enthusiast to work with new team principal Laurent Mekies.
The second seat is still a mystery. Given the poor performance of the second driver throughout the last couple seasons, Red Bull changed the man behind the wheel three times in 2 years. After Pérez left the team, the Kiwi Liam Lawson jumped in, promising great results from his debut with Racing Bulls. However, it went the complete opposite way, two weekends with 3 Q1 exits (counting the Chinese Grand Prix Sprint race) were just a taste of the start of the season.
Lawson was immediately dropped after the second weekend only, giving place to Red Bull junior since the end of 2018, Yuki Tsunoda. Hoping to improve the results of the second car, the Japanese driver stated in the media that he would be aiming for podiums as soon as he got the promotion. Things did not take a turn in Red Bull, and arriving into the summer break, Tsunoda managed to score 7 points only.
It is still unknown who will take the second seat at Red Bull, but late statements from Helmut Marko saying that Arvid Lindblad should be promoted to Formula 1 in 2026 with Racing Bulls alongside Liam Lawson, gives us the opportunity to think that Isack Hadjar will make the step up to Red Bull next season, and Tsunoda will take a year off from Formula 1.
Newbie Cadillac
The American Team Cadillac is making its debut in Formula 1 next season, partnering with Andretti, with their engine being supplied by Ferrari.
There have been several rumours and options of drivers for their line-up in 2026, from Herta, to Drugovich, and even Alexander Dunne lately. However, Cadillac seems to have chosen the path of having two experienced drivers on the grid, and both Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas look set to sign for the American team for the 2026 season.
Although nothing is 100% confirmed, Felipe Drugovich and Mick Schumacher should be taken into slight consideration for the second seat. Guanyu Zhou is set to be the official reserve driver, due to having great connections inside the team, as team principal Graeme Lowdon is his manager.
Rest of the grid
Mercedes still does not have neither of their drivers officially confirmed for the 2026 season. Although Toto Wolff stated that they would keep George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, the contract renewal for both of them should not be announced on the summer break, as Mercedes is still worried about the car’s performance and they have no rush to re-sign both off their drivers for 2026.
Alpine has secured Pierre Gasly until the end of the 2026 season as well, finding an agreement with the Frenchman for the new regulations. However, the second seat is still not covered by any driver. It was recently confirmed that Franco Colapinto would stay until the end of the 2025 season despite mistakes, but Alpine looks set to make changes for the next year.
There are many options for the French team to consider for the 2026 season: From their reserve driver Paul Aron, to Formula 2 championship leader Leonardo Fornaroli, or even renew the contract with the Argentinian, although it is still highly unlikely, but Alpine’s decision of a second driver will come later this season.
Sauber, Aston Martin, Haas and Williams have all sealed their drivers until the end of 2026 and therefore no changes should be incoming in a near future.
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