2026 F1 Grid Finalized

The lineup for the 2026 Formula 1 season is now officially settled.

Today, Red Bull Racing revealed their team name for the upcoming season: Red Bull and VisaCash App Racing Bulls. In a move many anticipated, Isak Hajar will step up to the main team, taking Hiroki Tsunoda’s spot and partnering with Max Verstappen.

As for Tsunoda, he won’t be completely out; he will transition to a test and reserve position with Red Bull Racing. Meanwhile, VCARB confirmed that Liam Lawson will race alongside Arvid Lindblad in the upcoming season.

Let’s take a moment to run through the full list of drivers for 2026.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri

McLaren has secured Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for the 2026 season. Norris has inked a new multi-year agreement that keeps him at the team until 2027, while Piastri also signed a multi-year extension during his rookie year in 2023, making 2026 his last contractual year.

Before the Australian Grand Prix, McLaren announced an extension for Piastri, which guarantees his place beyond 2026.

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton

Ferrari’s driver lineup is set for 2026. Charles Leclerc signed a new deal with Ferrari in January 2024 to stay for several seasons. Lewis Hamilton, on the other hand, has reportedly agreed to a two-year contract with an option for a third, ensuring he will be with the team until at least 2025-2026.

Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll

Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will both remain with their team through the 2026 season. Alonso extended his contract in April 2024, while Stroll confirmed his deal last summer, indicating he will be with the team beyond 2025.

Haas Team Update

Haas will unveil a completely new driver pair for the 2025 season. Esteban Ocon is joining the team, having raced with Alpine in recent years, and rookie Oliver Bearman will also make his F1 debut in 2025.

Both drivers have secure contracts through to the 2026 season.

Carlos Sainz Jr. and Alexander Albon

With Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2025, Carlos Sainz Jr. became a key free agent, especially since Leclerc had already re-signed with Ferrari. Amidst various rumors, Sainz eventually signed multi-year deals with James Bowles and Williams, extending beyond 2026. It’s noteworthy, too, that this marks the final year of Alexander Albon’s contract signed in spring 2024.

Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortleto

In light of Cadillac joining the grid in 2026, it’s worth mentioning that Sauber will phase out as a team, making way for Audi. Prior to 2025, Audi secured contracts for Nico Hulkenberg, who will be their first driver, and rookie Gabriel Bortleto, both tied to the team until 2026.

Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez

Cadillac is set to debut with experienced drivers. Earlier this season, they announced Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez as their pilots for the inaugural season.

Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto

Alpine confirmed earlier that Pierre Gasly would continue with them, having signed a multi-year extension valid until 2028. However, the second seat was a bit of a hot topic. That is, until the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, when Alpine announced Franco Colapinto would return for 2026. Though he hasn’t yet scored points with the team, they appear to have confidence in his potential as a challenger next season.

The driver pair is now officially set.

George Russell and Kimi Antonelli

Mercedes began the season with both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli on contracts nearing an end. Russell was in his final year, and rookie Antonelli was on a one-year deal. As contract discussions were lingering with rumors about team principal Toto Wolff possibly pursuing Verstappen, it was uncertain if the lineup would change. However, ahead of the US Grand Prix, the team resolved those uncertainties and secured both drivers for next season.

Max Verstappen and Isak Hajar

Red Bull has confirmed what many were anticipating: Hajar’s promotion to the main team, where he will now race alongside Verstappen. Tsunoda, having left his seat, will shift to a test and reserve role for both Red Bull and VCARB.

Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team

Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad

VCARB also confirmed the driver pairing on Tuesday. Lindblad will make his F1 debut, teaming up with Lawson, who stands sixth in the F2 standings with one race left and has another year at VCARB lined up.