The driver market for the 2026 Formula 1 season has intensified dramatically, with just four seats remaining across the grid following a wave of recent contract confirmations.
Mercedes finally ended months of speculation by announcing they will stick with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, while the new Cadillac team unveiled a seasoned pairing of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas.
With the new regulatory era fast approaching, this article breaks down which teams still have vacancies and who is in the running to secure the final, highly coveted spots in F1.
The four remaining seats for the 2026 grid
| Team | Vacant Seats | Confirmed Driver | Key Contenders |
| Red Bull Racing | 1 | Max Verstappen | Isack Hadjar, Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda |
| Alpine | 1 | Pierre Gasly | Franco Colapinto, Paul Aron |
| Racing Bulls | 2 | None | Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda, Isack Hadjar |
The Red Bull academy shootout
The majority of the remaining uncertainty surrounds the four seats controlled by the Red Bull corporate family.
While Max Verstappen is locked into his Red Bull Racing drive until 2028, the second seat is a straight shootout between the organisation’s pool of talent.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Red Bull Racing's one vacancy is likely to be filled by one of the current Racing Bulls drivers.
Isack Hadjar is considered a leading candidate for promotion after an impressive rookie season, while Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda are also in contention.
Racing Bulls will fill their two seats from the same pool, meaning the drivers face a high-pressure scenario: secure a seat at the top team or risk being dropped from the Red Bull programme entirely.
Alpine and the final spot
The final remaining seat is at Alpine, alongside the confirmed Pierre Gasly. The decision is widely expected to come down to an internal choice between their young prospects, Franco Colapinto and reserve driver Paul Aron.
Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore has indicated that the decision will be based purely on performance and long-term potential, creating a straight fight for the French team's final vacancy.
Formula 1 news & related links
Oscar Piastri’s potential landing spots amidst McLaren drama
Christian Horner linked to sensational Ferrari move just months after Red Bull exit