F1 2027 Line-Up: Eight Seats Yet to Be Confirmed

Isack Hadjar’s Red Bull contract extension has removed one of the major question marks from the 2027 Formula 1 driver market, but eight seats remain without officially confirmed drivers for next season.

Red Bull announced on Wednesday that Hadjar will continue alongside Max Verstappen in 2027, completing its senior-team line-up and ending speculation over the Frenchman’s future. Verstappen is already contracted through 2030.

Hadjar’s confirmation means 14 of the 22 seats on the 2027 grid are now occupied by drivers with contracts in place, leaving eight drivers whose current deals expire at the end of 2026.

While some of those drivers are widely expected to stay, others face a much less certain path into the new season.

F1 drivers without confirmed contracts for 2027

Red Bull settles the Hadjar question

Hadjar’s situation was one of the most closely watched pieces of the driver market, particularly after his promotion from Racing Bulls to Red Bull for the 2026 season.

The Frenchman has impressed during his first campaign alongside Verstappen, with a podium in Monaco among the highlights. Red Bull said his pace, consistency and progression had convinced the team to extend his contract for 2027.

The decision also provides greater stability across the Red Bull set-up.

Hadjar will remain alongside Verstappen, while Liam Lawson returns to Racing Bulls following his three-race stint with the senior team during Hadjar’s absence through injury. Hadjar is also set to return at this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

That leaves Lawson and Arvid Lindblad as the two Racing Bulls drivers still without confirmed 2027 contracts.

Lindblad and Lawson still waiting

Lindblad has made an encouraging start to his rookie F1 campaign, particularly in qualifying, and has regularly shown the speed that made him one of Red Bull’s highly rated young talents.

The 18-year-old has completed every race he has started and has scored points in nine of his 14 starts.

Lawson, meanwhile, has considerably more F1 experience and has strengthened his case during his recent spell with Red Bull. The New Zealander scored points in two of the three races he contested while deputising for Hadjar before returning to Racing Bulls.

With Hadjar now locked into Red Bull’s senior seat, however, the immediate question for the junior team is whether it retains its current pairing or makes room for another member of its driver programme.

Ocon faces an uncertain Haas future

The Haas situation could be one of the more significant unresolved pieces of the 2027 market.

Esteban Ocon’s contract expires at the end of the season, and his 2026 campaign has put his future under scrutiny. Team-mate Oliver Bearman has generally enjoyed the stronger season, while Haas has been linked with several younger drivers as it considers its options.

Ocon, a grand prix winner who has been on the F1 grid since 2016, recently described himself as a free agent for 2027, further underlining the uncertainty around his Haas future.

Bearman, meanwhile, is also technically among the drivers without a confirmed contract, although the British youngster is expected to remain with Haas rather than move to Ferrari for 2027.

Audi’s driver pairing remains unchanged for now

Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto are also approaching the final year of their current deals with Audi.

The German manufacturer has publicly shown satisfaction with its current pairing, while its junior programme continues to develop future options. Freddie Slater is set to compete in Formula 2 in 2027, meaning Audi has another young prospect in its pipeline but no immediate indication that either current driver is being replaced.

For now, Hülkenberg and Bortoleto therefore remain among the eight drivers technically without contracts for 2027, despite Audi’s apparent preference for continuity.

Fernando Alonso’s future depends on Alonso

Fernando Alonso’s situation is rather different.

The two-time world champion’s future appears to be largely dependent on whether he wants to continue racing in Formula 1 beyond 2026. At 45, Alonso has repeatedly discussed the possibility of reassessing his career as the sport moves into its new regulatory era.

Aston Martin would have a significant decision to make if Alonso chooses to leave, but there is no confirmed indication yet that the Spaniard will step away.

Lance Stroll is also without a publicly confirmed 2027 contract, although his position at Aston Martin remains closely tied to the team’s ownership structure through his father, Lawrence Stroll.

The 2027 F1 silly season is narrowing

Hadjar’s confirmation removes one of the biggest question marks from the grid, but the driver market is far from completely settled.

The Red Bull senior team is now locked in, while Racing Bulls, Haas, Audi and Aston Martin still have contracts to resolve or decisions to make.

With the 2026 season entering its final third, the number of genuinely uncertain seats is smaller than the raw list suggests. Several of the eight drivers are expected to remain where they are, while others face a more immediate fight to secure their place on the 2027 grid.