Formula 1: Way-too-early driver lineup prediction for 2026

As a seasoned motorsports enthusiast with over three decades of following Formula 1, I must admit that these driver lineups for the upcoming seasons are truly intriguing! It seems like a perfect blend of youth and experience, with some old faces returning and new ones making their debut in the sport.

As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t wait for the 2024 F1 season, it’s shaping up to be legendary! It all started when I heard about Lewis Hamilton packing his bags and heading over to Ferrari back in early February. This single move sparked a chain reaction of driver swaps that has left the entire grid shaking things up. It feels like we’re watching a game of chess, where every move affects the outcome for everyone involved. Can’t wait to see how this season unfolds!

Notable shifts have occurred, with some key highlights being Carlos Sainz Jr. transitioning from Ferrari to Williams, and Kimi Antonelli stepping into Mercedes in place of the seven-time world champion.

In approximately three months, we’ll be gearing up for the commencement of the 2025 Formula 1 season. The driver teams are almost finalized, with only one position remaining at Red Bull and another at RB yet to be filled.

We’re now shifting our anticipation from last season’s gossip to the speculation about next year’s driver lineup, given that two more positions will open up when Cadillac becomes the 11th team in Formula 1, thereby expanding the grid.

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that aside from the current situation, four more driver contracts will conclude at the end of the 2025 racing season. It’s also important to mention that even drivers who don’t have expiring contracts don’t necessarily have job security.

Here are our way-too-early driver lineup predictions for 2026.

McLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri

In 2024, McLaren significantly advanced, establishing themselves as the leading team in Formula 1 without a shadow of a doubt. It’s expected that they’ll carry this exceptional performance into the upcoming season, providing their drivers compelling reasons to remain part of the team.

It’s evident that Lando Norris is the focal point for this team, seeing as his contract extends until the year 2027. On the other hand, Oscar Piastri aspires to compete with his teammate for the world championship title. The question remains: how will he handle being second-in-command at McLaren compared to Norris. Despite speculation about Piastri leaving McLaren in the future, it’s likely that he’ll still be part of the team up until 2026.

Ferrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton

Currently, it seems unlikely that Charles Leclerc will leave Ferrari in the near future. On the other hand, Lewis Hamilton is expected to join the team in 2025, and his contract extends until the end of 2026. Just like Leclerc, Hamilton may well conclude his Formula 1 career with the Maranello-based team.

Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson

Max Verstappen’s contract extends until 2028, but there’s some doubt about his continued stay at Red Bull past 2025. If neither Lawrence Stroll nor Toto Wolff manage to convince him to switch teams, it’s probable that Verstappen will continue with Red Bull in the year 2026.

Regarding his teammate, it seems highly likely that Liam Lawson will be promoted. The team has supported him extensively for quite some time now, and he stands as a strong contender to take over from Sergio Perez, given the preference shown over current teammate Yuki Tsunoda.

Mercedes: George Russell and Kimi Antonelli

Amazingly, I’ve learned that George Russell’s contract hasn’t been renewed yet. With only a year left on his current agreement, there’s a good chance Mercedes will extend the tenure of their top gun moving forward. On the other hand, Kimi Antonelli, the Italian driver, has generated quite a buzz throughout 2024, leaving many eager to see what the future holds for him.

Toto Wolff highly values the 18-year-old and considers him the top choice for replacing Lewis Hamilton, barring any unexpected issues with Antonelli’s performance in 2025. Assuming all goes well, Antonelli is expected to continue his partnership with Russell in 2026.

Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Yuki Tsunoda

As I gear up for the 2026 gaming season, I’m excited about Honda joining forces with Aston Martin as their power unit supplier. This year, we’re aiming to take a significant leap forward, and there’s no doubt that the stakes are high. It’s on me, Lawrence Stroll, to make decisions that put the team first, balancing ambition with pragmatism to ensure our success in this competitive landscape.

Introducing Adrian Newey is a first step, and having a robust driver pairing will also be crucial. Unfortunately, Lance Stroll doesn’t seem capable anymore, and it’s likely that Honda will urge the team owner to team Yuki Tsunoda with Fernando Alonso instead.

Alpine: Pierre Gasly and Paul Aron

As a devoted fan, I can confirm that Pierre Gasly’s contract extends until the end of 2026 with Alpine, meaning he isn’t going anywhere soon. However, come 2026, it seems we might see a new teammate for Gasly. The current rumor is that Jack Doohan will join us on a one-year contract in 2025; however, given our future aspirations, I believe a more suitable candidate may be needed.

It appears that Alpine may not fully trust Doohan, as whispers of Franco Colapinto taking his place before the 2025 season even begins continue. However, Paul Aron’s impressive performance in Formula 2 demonstrates why he is worthy of competing at the highest level of motorsport.

Haas: Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman

In this context, there’s limited debate because Esteban Ocon’s contract extends through 2027, and Oliver Bearman’s contract goes up to 2026. Both are expected to stay with their current agreements until they expire.

RB: Isack Hadjar and Pepe Marti

By the year 2026, it’s probable that Liam Lawson will have moved up to Red Bull, while Yuki Tsunoda might be leaving the Red Bull family. Isack Hadjar is almost certain to race for RB in 2025 and could continue with them in 2026. At present, Pepe Marti appears to be the most promising Red Bull junior driver, as it seems that both the French and Algerian drivers are on track to graduate to Formula 1.

Williams: Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz Jr.

For the year 2026, the contracts of Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz Jr. will come to an end. Both drivers express a positive outlook regarding the projects Williams is developing for their 2026 season.

Given that James Vowles has acknowledged that 2025 might be compromised for a powerful 2026, it seems there’s an exciting development unfolding that both drivers wouldn’t want to overlook. It’s important to remember that if the 2025 season doesn’t turn out favorably, neither driver should face undue criticism.

Audi: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto

Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto are both committed to their teams until 2026. Notably, Hulkenberg has been exceptional with Haas and impressed during the post-season test in Abu Dhabi for Sauber. It’s been noted that Audi has shown significant interest in the German driver, as his transfer to their team was announced quite early this year.

It came down to Valtteri Bottas and Gabriel Bortoleto for the second Sauber seat, and the Brazilian driver was marvelous this season, showing the world how good he is. Bortoleto tightly won the Formula 2 championship and drove splendidly in those high-pressure moments. The 20-year-old’s composure should translate well into Formula 1. Do not expect him to be replaced for 2026 when Audi complete their Sauber takeover.

Cadillac: Daniel Ricciardo and Jak Crawford

Preparing for Formula 1’s grid expansion to 22 cars in 2026, Cadillac aims to make a powerful debut. There’s been talk about Daniel Ricciardo as a potential driver for the American team, but it’s been clarified that he may not be returning to Formula 1, despite some speculation.

It’s understandable why the Australian racing driver is so appealing; his value to the team could potentially earn them millions of dollars. Despite him denying another stint in Formula 1, there might be ways to persuade him, since 2026 is a good distance away yet.

Regarding his potential move, Jak Crawford might leave Aston Martin and join an American team instead. With prospects of moving up to Formula 1 with his current team being slim, this seems like a beneficial arrangement for both parties: a promising young American driver who has demonstrated success in feeder series, meeting an American team eager to have him on board.

2024-12-25 14:33