One of the most entertaining things to do as a Formula One fan is to try and predict the driver lineup for the following seasons.
With the 2026 lineup being complete, it’s time to look further ahead and try to predict the 2027 driver lineup!
I update my predictions at regular intervals, although not after every race. If a driver is marked in bold, it means he has already been confirmed by the team for that particular seat.
Last updated: 6 May 2026
Mercedes
George Russell – Kimi Antonelli
Russell’s contract is a 1+1 where he gets a 2027 extension if he “reaches a performance target” in 2026. I believe that target is set very high. It probably means he will only trigger an extension if he is leading the championship by the summer break.
Toto Wolff desperately wants to sign Verstappen, but if Russell triggers an extension, the only way to get Verstappen is by replacing Antonelli. And Wolff is simply too invested in Antonelli to ship him away. And he wouldn’t dare doing it now that the Italian is so overhyped.
So the most likely outcome is that they continue with the same lineup.
McLaren
Lando Norris – Oscar Piastri
This is the best long-term lineup in F1. McLaren shouldn’t change it unless the two drivers can’t get along under the pressure of competing for titles. The car is strong, so it should be in the interest of both Norris and Piastri to stay. Of course, if either of the two feels unfairly treated by the team, they may try their luck elsewhere.
Piastri is already signed to the end of 2027. Norris extended his “multi-year contract” and is believed to be under contract for 2027 and beyond.
Ferrari
Charles Leclerc – Oliver Bearman
Hamilton will likely move away from Ferrari (or retire). Especially if Leclerc continues beating him with such an impressive margin. The Monégasque pilot will obviously stay long-term, rumours say he has a contract until 2029, but who will his teammate be?
Three options seem possible: A promotion of Bearman, a return to Sainz, or bringing in a solid number two driver like Gasly.
Bearman is the natural choice as he is a Ferrari junior and currently performing very well at Haas. This is really a no-brainer, as long as Bearman keeps developing. He already beat Ocon at just 20 years old, so I assume he’s first in line for a promotion. Ferrari would also have to promote him quickly before another top team signs him.
Sainz is a decent secondary option. He left Ferrari on good terms, and he is somewhat close to Leclerc’s level. The only problem is that his driving style is very different to Leclerc’s, so the team will have to build a car that suits just one of their two drivers if Sainz joins. Not exactly ideal.
Finally, if Bearman underperforms in 2026, Ferrari could consider Gasly. He would be a strong number two driver and has a good personal relationship with Leclerc. But again: Bearman is almost certainly the priority.
Red Bull
Max Verstappen – Isack Hadjar
Verstappen has a contract until 2028. The question is whether he will fulfill it – he certainly has some clauses if Red Bull aren’t competing for wins.
The Dutchman could seek out a deal with Mercedes, but it likely won’t happen until 2028 or 2029.
So for now, he either stays at Red Bull or takes a year off. It’s certainly possible that he will take a sabbatical, but his yearly salary of $65 million is a strong incentive to stay.
Hadjar looked okay in his rookie season, and now he is getting a shot with Red Bull. He probably gets a fairly long leash: Neither of the two Racing Bulls drivers have had a great start, so that’s good news for Hadjar. The Algerian had a good qualifying in Melbourne, but he’s been struggling since that. Red Bull’s Miami upgrade favoured Verstappen’s driving style, so the upcoming races could be challenging for Hadjar.
Aston Martin
Lewis Hamilton – Lance Stroll
Fernando Alonso will turn 46 during the 2027 season. The Spaniard gambled on Newey designing a great 2026 car for a final title attempt. However, Honda delivered yet another disappointing engine and it may take a few years before Aston Martin get properly up to speed.
Alonso allegedly wants to continue, but at this point in time, he isn’t getting any better, and his contract expires by the end of 2026. Will the team extend him? Perhaps so, but Lawrence Stroll could also go in another direction.
Lewis Hamilton is perfect for the team. Ferrari aren’t happy with him, and they need to promote Bearman as soon as possible, so Lewis could move to Aston Martin to fulfill yet another dream: Driving a Newey-designed car, while cashing in another massive paycheck. Signing Sir Lewis would also be great for the Aston Martin brand.
As for Lance Stroll, who are we kidding? The guy is confirmed as his father owns the team. Pathetic.
Williams
Carlos Sainz – Alex Albon
Albon and Sainz are both stuck at Williams as there are no better prospects for them, unless Ferrari or Red Bull decide to go for an experienced driver. But those teams have younger academy drivers lined up already. Sainz should re-open negotiations with Audi. For Williams, it’s obviously great to retain two upper midfield drivers.
Alpine
Pierre Gasly – Alex Dunne
Gasly is a good driver and a solid benchmark for the team’s performance. Colapinto brings sponsors, but lacks upside, so he has to be replaced eventually.
Flavio Briatore is looking for the next big star. But can he find one?
Alex Dunne was signed to the academy recently and he has the kind of attitude that Briatore is looking for. Does he have the talent? Too early to say – he did well in F2 initially, but didn’t win the title. Now he gets another shot. If Dunne has some standout moments in F2, he likely gets the seat. Otherwise Alpine will extend Colapinto to get another year of lucrative Argentine sponsorship deals.
There is a small chance that the Alpine team could be acquired by someone else. Mercedes are interested in having a number two team so they may buy it – in that case, they could bring in their own academy drivers here. But for now, let’s assume that the team stays in the same hands and remain as Alpine.
Haas
Esteban Ocon – Rafael Câmara
Ocon has a contract for 2027 so that likely means he continues driving for Haas. It’s a bad decision though – Ocon isn’t a lead driver and he has shown no skills whatsoever in terms of team development.
Obviously, Haas would love to keep Oliver Bearman around, but Bearman is bound for a Ferrari promotion in 2027, so they’ll have to find a replacement.
The next Haas driver could be one of the young Ferrari talents, Rafael Câmara or Tuukka Taponen. After winning F3 by a huge margin, Câmara must be considered the favourite. He is the best driver in Ferrari’s academy, and if Bearman leaves, Haas would be happy to sign such a promising talent.
Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad – Nikola Tsolov
Lindblad could move to Red Bull if Verstappen leaves, or if Hadjar disappoints.
But he will likely have to settle for another year at Racing Bulls in 2027, which is probably also the best thing for his career. Better to develop patiently in the midfield rather than facing Verstappen as a teammate too early on.
Lawson isn’t good enough to stay long term so he’ll get replaced next year.
Tsolov is the best driver in the Red Bull academy right now, so he should be an obvious choice for 2027 if he does well in F2. So far it’s looking good for Tsolov who is leading the series.
Audi
Nico Hülkenberg – Gabriel Bortoleto
Hülkenberg will essentially become the Audi ambassador and help the team develop in its early years. 2027 could be his final year, and then Audi would bring in a young talent in 2028 (Freddie Slater is first in line). But for now, the Hulk stays.
Bortoleto looks decent and won’t get replaced any time soon. He is a reasonably fast racer, but more suited for a number two role. That is okay for Audi though, as long as they bring in a future star eventually.
Alternatively, they may again open discussions with Carlos Sainz. Signing him would be a clear upgrade, but it’s uncertain whether or not they can come to an agreement.
Cadillac
Valtteri Bottas – Sergio Pérez
Both are likely on multi-year contracts (although details aren’t public). Cadillac seem to lack ambition, as they could bring in at least one young talent, but instead we are stuck with a lineup of old, demoted second drivers. At least Pérez has some inspired underdog performances at times, and he seems more motivated than Bottas.
Cadillac have placed Colton Herta in F2 in 2026, hoping for the American to secure enough superlicense points to reach F1.
But Herta isn’t a top 5 driver in F2. In fact, he sucks, so a 2027 promotion is far from a guarantee. Cadillac will likely end up with the same boring lineup for another season.
Out of F1
Fernando Alonso, Franco Colapinto, Liam Lawson
Alonso considers 2026 his final shot. It’s unlikely that he can stay at his current level for too much longer as he enters his late 40s. With another bad Honda engine in 2026, his attitude could turn toxic at Aston Martin, and if they get a shot at Verstappen, Russell, Leclerc or Hamilton, they will try to replace the Spaniard.
Colapinto brings valuable sponsorship to Alpine but lacks elite upside. If he has a good 2026, things could change, but at the moment he doesn’t look like a long-term F1 driver. Briatore could replace him with whatever driver impresses in F2, most likely Alex Dunne, although every option should be on the table there.
Lawson is projected to lose to Lindblad in 2026, and if that happens, it will mark the end of his career. Racing Bulls have more to gain by trying out some new driver. Nikola Tsolov seems like the better long-term prospect.
Don’t forget to check the 2028 driver lineup predictions as well!
