With the 2026 Formula 1 season approaching, eight driver seats across the grid remain undecided amid ongoing contract negotiations and potential team changes. Among these uncertainties, Mercedes has yet to confirm whether George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will extend their contracts beyond this year, leaving the future of both drivers in question.

Other notable situations include Yuki Tsunoda’s precarious position at Red Bull, which affects the Racing Bulls’ lineup involving Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar. Meanwhile, Alpine’s Franco Colapinto and newcomers Cadillac’s driver selection add further complexity to the upcoming season’s roster.

Mercedes Likely to Retain Russell and Antonelli Amid Contract Talks

Rumors of Max Verstappen’s possible switch to Mercedes in 2026 sparked uncertainty for both Russell and Antonelli, fueling speculation about their futures within the team. However, Verstappen dispelled these claims before the Hungarian Grand Prix, confirming his intention to stay at Red Bull with a contract running until 2028, albeit with certain performance clauses.

This announcement effectively secures the competitive landscape at Mercedes, suggesting that George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli are expected to receive renewed contracts. Despite this, Mercedes is unlikely to make any contract announcements until after the next race at Zandvoort.

After the Hungarian Grand Prix, Russell told Sky Sports F1,

“I’m going straight on holiday, I’m going to do 10 days off!”

—George Russell, Mercedes Driver

He further expressed no concerns about negotiations taking place imminently, sharing,

“He [Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff] has got nothing to be worried about, I’ve got nothing to be worried about. Nothing is going to happen in the summer because I want to have a rest, recharge and come back stronger for the second half of the year.”

—George Russell, Mercedes Driver

Russell also indicated the ongoing talks will not be rushed:

“I don’t want to rush it. I’ve been waiting 12 months. I’m not just going to rush it over the course of two weeks. We will sit down when the time is right.”

—George Russell, Mercedes Driver

With no immediate pressure, Russell’s stance hints at potential leverage in securing a longer-term deal that could prevent Mercedes from replacing him with Verstappen in 2027. In contrast, Antonelli’s current contract expires this year, and although his recent performances do not yet guarantee an advantage, Mercedes continues to back the promising 18-year-old, having developed him into their F1 driver.

Red Bull and Racing Bulls Face Driver Line-Up Decisions

Red Bull has struggled for years to find a second driver who consistently challenges Max Verstappen. Yuki Tsunoda, the latest to fill this role, has underperformed relative to the reigning world champion, prompting team principal Laurent Mekies to deliberate on his future with the squad.

Mekies is focused on providing Tsunoda with the support needed to improve, while also weighing whether to promote Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar or explore talent outside the Red Bull driver program. Notably, Red Bull has never reinstated a driver who was demoted, casting doubt on Liam Lawson’s return to the main team despite his brief stint as Verstappen’s teammate early in 2025.

Stability at Red Bull hinges on Tsunoda producing a series of solid performances, which could secure his continuation for 2026. Mekies told Sky Sports F1,

“The priority is to give Yuki what he needs to perform. With regards to the second seat, that’s where the priority is. It’s what the team is concentrated on. They have been trying that for a number of races now. We are trying to find ways together to make a further step. Spa was very positive, certainly from that perspective, Hungary was a tricky weekend overall, so it’s probably a bit more difficult to judge.”

—Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Team Principal

He added,

“But there is no reason why Yuki’s performance cannot be what we have seen in the past. And that’s what we are concentrated on right now.”

—Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Team Principal

Should any of the current Red Bull or Racing Bulls drivers lose their seats, 18-year-old British F2 driver Arvid Lindblad emerges as a top candidate. Backed by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, Lindblad impressed with his karting credentials and was granted a superlicense exemption to participate in F1 practice during the British Grand Prix, positioning him as a strong potential addition to the team.

However, Red Bull‘s decision-making is complicated by the introduction of new 2026 technical regulations and the team’s recent decline in form. Red Bull plans to end its partnership with Honda and begin developing its own power unit with Ford, a process that historically results in a temporary performance drop, making the team less attractive to established drivers at this moment.

Cadillac’s Entry Brings New Competition for Available Driver Seats

Cadillac’s imminent debut as the 11th team on the Formula 1 grid next season introduces two additional driver positions, intensifying competition for contracts. The American automotive manufacturer is collaborating with General Motors and TWG Global, a group with significant investments in sports franchises such as Chelsea and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon confirmed they are engaged in “advancing discussions” with several drivers, drawing wide interest following the official announcement earlier this year. He described receiving inquiries from

“a long list of very, very good drivers who are keen.”

—Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac Team Principal

Among the top contenders for these new seats are former race winners Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, both having lost their previous race seats at the end of last season. Bottas, who currently serves as a Mercedes reserve driver, stirred speculation after sharing a video of himself beside a Cadillac road vehicle, playfully questioning, “Do we like this seat?”

Additional names linked to Cadillac include ex-Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu and Aston Martin reserve Felipe Drugovich. If Cadillac opts to select an American driver, 20-year-old Jak Crawford, performing strongly in the Formula 2 championship, could be a prime choice after achieving seven podium finishes, including three victories.

In an exclusive interview at Silverstone, Lowdon highlighted the broad driver interest in the team, stating,

“Both the younger guys who have been coming up through Formula 2 and also the more established drivers who have a lot of Formula 1 experience. We talk to these people all of the time and we try and spend time in the paddock as well.”

—Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac Team Principal

Should any seats remain unfilled by Bottas or Perez at Cadillac, Alpine appears likely to be their next option. Both drivers are among the front-runners to replace Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, whose continuation depends on his performance during the last 10 rounds of the current season.

Implications for the Upcoming F1 Season and Beyond

The unresolved status of these key driver seats injects uncertainty and tension into the Formula 1 landscape as the 2026 season approaches, with team strategies and driver career trajectories hanging in the balance. Mercedes’ decision regarding Russell and Antonelli will provide stability within their top squad, but the delayed announcements prolong the unease surrounding contract talks.

Red Bull’s driver lineup remains fragile, influenced by ongoing performance issues and technical shifts associated with building a new power unit. Cadillac’s arrival further complicates the market, creating fresh opportunities but also stiff competition for limited seats.

Fans and insiders will closely monitor these developments as the grid settles, especially with the summer break ending and the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort scheduled for August 29-31. The outcomes of these contract negotiations will not only shape team dynamics next year but also influence the broader competitive balance within Formula 1 over the coming seasons.