With Red Bull’s line-up settled this morning, the 2027 grid is taking shape faster than usual. The revised power unit rules and a reset in development priorities mean teams want their drivers locked in before the winter, and several have already moved. Others are still deciding, and a handful of drivers go into the final nine races without knowing where they will be next year. This is where every seat stands, as far as has been announced or reported.
Confirmed for 2027
Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar. Verstappen extended his deal this season after talks with Mercedes and McLaren. Hadjar’s extension was confirmed on 23 September, on the eve of his return from injury.
McLaren: Lando Norris. The reigning champion is signed until the end of 2030, the longest commitment on the grid.
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc. Leclerc has signed a new Ferrari deal. He recently spoke about the “other opportunities” he turned down to sign it, without saying what they were.
Williams: Carlos Sainz. Sainz extended his contract in August after admitting to doubts, as covered in our Sainz profile.
Expected to stay, not yet announced
A second group of drivers is widely expected to stay put, with no public announcement. Kimi Antonelli, the championship leader, is Mercedes’ long-term project, although he has pointedly declined to rule out a Ferrari future one day. Arvid Lindblad is described by The Race as virtually certain to remain at Racing Bulls after his rookie season. Gabriel Bortoleto has outscored Nico Hülkenberg in Audi’s debut year and is central to the German manufacturer’s plans. The situations of Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, George Russell at Mercedes and Oscar Piastri at McLaren are the subject of speculation every week. Each has publicly committed to his team. None has told the paddock anything that suggests a move.
Genuinely open
Racing Bulls, second seat. Liam Lawson has made a strong case in three races as Hadjar’s stand-in, finishing seventh at Zandvoort and sixth in Madrid. Red Bull also has Nikola Tsolov, a Formula 2 title contender, waiting for a debut. Racing Bulls calls it a “nice problem”. Lawson may not see it that way.
Haas, both seats. Haas is in the final stages of its evaluation. Esteban Ocon described himself as a free agent this week, which is not what a driver says when a new deal is close. Oliver Bearman, with 18 points to Ocon’s three, has the stronger hand. Haas has denied that Ferrari, its engine supplier, is steering the decision.
Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso. The 45-year-old has tied his decision to the 2027 regulations and says there is “no urgency”. Aston Martin’s leadership has admitted to fearing the “dramatic” possibility that he stops. His decision unblocks the rest of the market, which we analysed in the dominoes waiting to fall, and his profile is here.
Cadillac. Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez are in the first season of the project, with Colton Herta as reserve. Neither has scored a point yet. Cadillac has not publicly discussed 2027, and its split US and UK structure has drawn criticism from former team boss Otmar Szafnauer.
Alpine. Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto have had their difficulties this month, but Colapinto recently signed a fresh deal and Gasly remains the team’s lead driver. Alpine’s bigger 2027 news this week was technical: the arrival of Mike Elliott as chief technical officer.
What to watch
The next two announcements are likely to be Racing Bulls and Haas, because both teams need to settle their juniors and their budgets. After that it is Alonso. Once he decides, the only question left is whether anyone moves for Piastri. Until then, every result in the rookie and midfield fight carries weight in a contract negotiation somewhere.
Frequently asked questions
Which drivers are confirmed for 2027?
Verstappen and Hadjar at Red Bull, Norris at McLaren, Leclerc at Ferrari and Sainz at Williams have all been announced.
Is Esteban Ocon leaving Haas?
He has described himself as a free agent for 2027, and Haas has not confirmed its line-up.
Is Fernando Alonso retiring?
He has not decided. He says the decision depends on the 2027 regulations and there is no urgency.
Who will partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls in 2027?
Undecided. Liam Lawson and Formula 2’s Nikola Tsolov are the leading candidates.
