Verstappen renews with Red Bull: how the 2027 F1 grid stands

Red Bull confirmed on Thursday (20) a two-year contract extension for Max Verstappen, securing the four-time world champion through at least 2030. The new agreement puts an end to the potential activation of a performance clause that would have allowed the Dutchman to leave ahead of 2027. Looking ahead to next season, there are officially 12 open seats remaining on the grid.

Verstappen’s future was one of the central topics of the 2026 F1 driver market. Mercedes and, most notably, McLaren intensified inquiries during the first half of the year, as the surrounding uncertainty stoked speculation about a potential move for 2027. However, extended negotiations concluded favorably for Red Bull, which successfully secured the centerpiece of its project for the coming years.

The Austrian team still officially has one vacant seat for 2027. Although an agreement in principle was reached with Isack Hadjar prior to the summer break, the new contract has not yet been signed, keeping the Frenchman’s status unconfirmed from a formal standpoint.

Comfortably leading the Constructors’ Championship, Mercedes has also yet to officially confirm its 2027 lineup. Expectations remain, however, that the team will retain Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, who make up its current race pairing.

Other drivers are also trending toward remaining in their respective positions. Arvid Lindblad is expected to continue at Racing Bulls, while Lance Stroll holds a favorable position to stay at Aston Martin. Oliver Bearman is likewise a strong candidate to remain at Haas.

However, the situation differs for Liam Lawson. The New Zealander’s seat at Racing Bulls is threatened by F2 Championship leader Nikola Tsolov, who has emerged as one of Red Bull’s primary options for an F1 promotion in 2027.

At Haas, Esteban Ocon is not guaranteed to stay, competing for space against Leonardo Fornaroli and Brazilian driver Rafael Câmara, both of whom stand as alternative candidates for next season.

Aston Martin, meanwhile, awaits a decision from Fernando Alonso regarding the continuation of his F1 career. The Spaniard has yet to confirm whether he will remain on the grid for 2027, leaving one of the paddock’s key seats open.

Provisional 2027 F1 Grid:

The announcement comes amidst a flurry of paddock news leading into Round 12, including Red Bull celebrating Verstappen’s renewal through 2030, McLaren confirming Zandvoort updates for the second half of 2026, Honda outlining its engine package upgrade for Aston Martin, and Lewis Hamilton anticipating a distinct second half for Ferrari.

Formula 1 resumes action this weekend, August 21–23, 2026, at the Dutch Grand Prix, the 12th round of the 2026 season. GRANDE PRÊMIO is covering all activities in Zandvoort live on-site with reporter Leonid Kliuev.

2026 Dutch Grand Prix — Session Schedule (Local Time / CEST)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many seats are officially open on the 2027 F1 grid?

There are 12 open seats officially unconfirmed across the 11 teams for the 2027 Formula 1 season.

Who are the main contenders for the second Racing Bulls seat in 2027?

While Arvid Lindblad is expected to remain, Liam Lawson faces competition from current Formula 2 leader Nikola Tsolov.

Which drivers are being considered for Haas in 2027?

Oliver Bearman is a candidate to remain, while Esteban Ocon’s seat is being linked to Leonardo Fornaroli and Brazilian Ferrari Academy driver Rafael Câmara.