What to Watch as F1 Heads Toward 2026

It was a predictably tepid Silly Season in 2025 after the whirlwind of changes prior to the start of last year’s campaign, meaning there a higher likelihood of the driver merry-go-round kicking into life at a swifter speed in 2026. But what are the biggest questions heading into a season that will feature an expanded 22-driver line-up for the first time in a decade?

Does Verstappen stay at Red Bull?

Max Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull through 2028—though there are inevitably break clauses, thought to relate to championship position mid-season. Verstappen has now been at Red Bull a decade, and has long stressed that so long as he enjoys the working environment, and is successful, he never has a reason to leave.

Several key figures have moved on from Red Bull in the last couple of years, but after some tetchy moments, Verstappen cut a far happier figure in the second half of 2025 as Red Bull enjoyed a renaissance under new boss Laurent Mekies. If that momentum can be carried into 2026, then Verstappen has no reason to look elsewhere, but if Red Bull falters—and there are so many unknowns given the company has never before constructed a power unit—then expect the noise to re-emerge, and for suitors (read: Mercedes) to come sniffing.

Can Leclerc keep faith with Ferrari?

It is hard to believe but this year will be Charles Leclerc’s eighth in the famous red overalls, and he has been winless so far in four of his seven seasons. It is remarkable that a driver with so much raw ability and pace—widely viewed as one of last year’s top performers—has taken 27 pole positions but has mustered only eight victories.

Ferrari’s bright start to the previous regulation cycle in 2022 proved a false dawn as the team regressed, falling firstly behind a dominant Red Bull outfit and then a resurgent McLaren. Last year was particularly galling as the green shoots of the second half of 2024 were scuppered amid a lack of pace from the SF-25.

The usual puppyish Leclerc was particularly frustrated during the closing events, and while an “it’s now or never” comment when discussing 2026 was a little bit of a throwaway remark, it indicates where Leclerc’s mind is at. He’s now 28, at the prime of his career, and cannot afford another wasted cycle.

Can Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari continue together?

Lewis Hamilton never gelled with the ground effect era cars, with a record of just one pole position and two victories across four years, all with Mercedes. Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari 12 months ago was among the biggest in Formula 1 history but year one had flashes of promise—the China Sprint race win—interspersed with lengthier phases of dismal displays and lackluster results.

Ferrari’s focus was long on 2026, and Hamilton did not make the move with instant success in mind, so much hinges on what the Scuderia delivers, and how Hamilton performs with the machinery. But Ferrari is Formula 1’s most political team, and its recent history is not laced with success, often not listening to the requests of its drivers, epitomized by Chairman John Elkann late last year suggesting the drivers were talking too much.

Hamilton, now 41, does not have time on his side to be patient waiting for Ferrari to turn the ship around. He suggested in November that he was still in it for the long-term, but the partnership surely cannot endure a repeat of 2025.

Does Fernando Alonso retire?

Fernando Alonso is gearing up for his 23rd season in Formula 1, in which he will turn 45 years of age, with 20 years having passed since his most recent of two titles.

There have been 1,149 grands prix and Alonso has been on the grid at 425 of them. But the Spaniard’s competitive thirst remains undimmed even after a 2025 campaign that slid into anonymity amid Aston Martin’s entrenchment in the midfield.

However, Alonso and the team’s focus has long been on the 2026 regulations, with designer and now team boss Adrian Newey striving to steer the good ship Aston Martin towards its championship ambitions. Naturally Alonso has had thoughts of retirement and last year revealed his mindset when it comes to walking away from Formula 1.

“I’ve been chasing a competitive car and a competitive racing for many, many years, and if I have that I think it’s a very good way to close my career,” Alonso said. “If we are competitive, there is more chance that I stop. If we are not competitive, it will be very hard to give up without trying again.”

So, a fast Aston and a 2026 exit, or a struggle and a 2027 extension

Can Hadjar snap the Red Bull curse?

Isack Hadjar, come on down! Yes, it is already time for the latest contestant in the Red Bull driver game show, featuring one of last year’s impressive rookies. Hadjar displayed maturity and speed to become a regular points botherer in 2025, peaking with a standout podium at Zandvoort, which accelerated his path to the top team for 2026.

After jettisoning veteran Sergio Perez at the end of 2024, Red Bull gave Liam Lawson just two grands prix before beginning the Yuki Tsunoda experiment, which was brought to a close by the new management as 2025 concluded. Can Hadjar, entering only his second season in Formula 1, prove his mettle against one of the championship’s all-time greats, or will the Milton Keynes boardroom reconvene to look for its next candidate within the next 12 months?

Does Antonelli build on year one promise?

In the final phase of 2025, Kimi Antonelli started regularly showing the ability that Mercedes—and most of the paddock—knew he had. The inexperienced Italian was fast-tracked to a Mercedes seat, and there was an acceptance that the campaign was effectively a year-long learning experience, both in terms of on-track performance and off-track pitfalls.

Antonelli is still only 19, and only about to tackle his sophomore season, but the future is now here. Mercedes has eyed 2026 as the opportunity to reclaim its crown, and for years it has been moulding Antonelli into the driver to lead that charge. There is, undoubtedly, the matter of George Russell, who in 2025 was among Formula 1’s top performers, fronting Mercedes’ charge after the exit of Lewis Hamilton. But can Antonelli step up and earn a long-term seat at the Mercedes table?

Can Herta thrust himself into Cadillac contention?

Colton Herta’s switch to Formula 2 for 2026 is one of the most intriguing driver stories, given that the IndyCar front-runner is relinquishing a safe and secure seat to plunge into the European racing scene with the goal of Formula 1. Part of that is down to IndyCar’s Super License grading, the denigration of which has since been somewhat rectified, but the Formula 2 campaign gives Herta a chance to learn the circuits, the landscape, and a different culture, while also working heavily with Cadillac.

Outright results in Formula 2 have become less important in recent years—the category can be a bit of a basket case at times—though strong performances are, obviously, essential. Cadillac has tied down veterans Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez for 2026, and it is understood both are on multi-year deals, though if Herta shines in his Formula 1 practice outings and thrives in Formula 2, he will surely make a compelling case for a swifter promotion.

Continuity or change at Haas?

Haas has now established itself as a firm midfield outfit, and it entered 2025 with a completely refreshed lineup of Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon. It was a solid campaign, with the two gelling well, and it was Bearman who narrowly held the upper hand across the season, scoring 40 points to Ocon’s 39.

The youngster came on strongly during the second half of the year after a scrappier first half with some messy grands prix—as would be expected—and would be expected to make the next step as he enters year two. Ocon, meanwhile, had a more difficult second half of the year as he struggled for braking stability, which was down to his own feel and preference rather than any car fault.

A remedy was unearthed at the season finale, which provides greater hope for 2026, but Haas’ drivers are at different junctures in their careers. Do either one, or both, move on for 2027?

Can Colapinto stake long-term Alpine claim?

Alpine has not exactly been a byword for longevity in recent years amid relentless upheaval at the team. Pierre Gasly has pledged his future to Alpine through 2028, as he prepares to enter his 30s, but the occupant of the other seat is on softer ground.

Franco Colapinto arrived partway into 2025, and didn’t score a point, albeit hampered by the wayward machinery as Alpine shifted focus to 2026. For the first time, having been parachuted into Williams in late 2024, Colapinto has the advantage of a full off-season to prepare for what should be his first full season as a Formula 1 driver.

That puts the onus on Colapinto to step up as, if Alpine makes the step forward it desires, it will become a far more attractive proposition than it has been for the last couple of years. Head honcho Flavio Briatore says there are no more excuses, and he is a ruthless operator.

Do any young guns stake 2027 claim?

Formula 1 youth surges tend to come in cycles, with the cohort of 2025 the most eye-catching since the 2019 trio of Lando Norris, George Russell, and Alex Albon. That came in between relatively fallow years, with no rookies at the start of 2024, and just one in 2026 in the shape of Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad.

It stands to reason, therefore, that 2027 could welcome more rookies, in the case of any underperformance in Formula 1, and if any youngster makes a convincingly compelling case in junior categories.

Ferrari protégé Rafael Camara will step up to Formula 2 after winning the Formula 3 title, and the last two champions in Formula 3 have gone on to take Formula 2 honors—with Gabriel Bortoleto landing a seat. Audi has signed Freddie Slater to its new development scheme and while 2027 is likely too soon for the Briton, given that he will race in Formula 3 this year, he is certainly one to watch across the coming years.