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Formula 1Thu 29 Oct 2026 · 7 of 11

2026 F1 driver contracts: key expiry dates and upcoming uncertainties

Verified · 11/11 supported1 cited · 1 min read

The Race reports that Lando Norris has a contract with McLaren until 2030, with an option for a longer term . The Race reports that Oscar Piastri’s McLaren deal, extended in March 2025, is expected to run at least through the end of 2028 . The Race reports that George Russell’s Mercedes contract runs into 2027, while Kimi Antonelli is contracted only for the 2026 season . The Race reports that Max Verstappen signed a new Red Bull deal lasting until 2030, and Isack Hadjar’s contract runs until 2027 . The Race reports that more than 50% of the 2026 driver field will be out of contract at the end of the year, and the grid sees few changes aside from a new team and two returning drivers .

Why it matters. The Race notes that the large proportion of expiring contracts could trigger changes over the remainder of the season .

Earlier on Formula 1

Wed 28 Oct 2026Alpine lets Sky Sports commentator give on‑track instructions to Gasly at US GP practiceThe Race reports that Alpine permitted Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft to speak directly to driver Pierre Gasly during United States Grand Prix practice. The Race reports that Croft instructed Gasly to perform a burnout, start from the right‑hand side of the grid, and use strategy 7. The Race reports that Alpine’s IT race communications engineer Rob Gulliver described the driver‑engineer radio as the most sacred, controlled, and policed communication within a team. The Race reports that the incident was billed as a “modern F1 first” because it broke the usual team‑radio protocol.Tue 27 Oct 2026Russell calls his US Grand Prix pace 'rubbish' as Antonelli dominatesThe Race reports that George Russell described his pace at the United States Grand Prix as “rubbish”. The Race reports that Russell finished eighth, 54 seconds behind race winner Kimi Antonelli. The Race reports that a five‑second penalty likely cost Russell two to three positions and left him trailing Oscar Piastri. The Race reports that Russell was about eight tenths of a lap slower than Antonelli. The Race reports that Antonelli is all but guaranteed to become F1 world champion at the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix.Mon 26 Oct 2026Hadjar blames Red Bull clutch design after poor US Grand Prix startRaceFans reports that Isack Hadjar blamed Red Bull’s clutch design for his poor start at the United States Grand Prix. RaceFans reports that Hadjar said the clutch is too fragile and does not cope well with temperatures, calling for a redesign. RaceFans reports that he experienced clutch over‑delivery despite following perfect procedure. RaceFans reports that Hadjar fell from third place to fifth at the start and later finished sixth. RaceFans reports that he complained about being switched to the hard tyre compound, poor radio coverage, and a wrong settings map that cost him about a second per lap. RaceFans reports that Hadjar’s teammate Max Verstappen also had a poor start and finished third.
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