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# What's next for F1's driver market after Verstappen's new deal
- URL: https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/what-next-for-f1s-driver-market-after-verstappens-new-deal/
- Published: 2026-08-21T08:32:41.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-21T08:42:30.000Z
- Description: Max Verstappen's new Red Bull contract now all but rules out any major changes among F1's top four teams for 2027, but there are still some interesting lingering driver market questions
- Author: Edd Straw
- Tags: Formula 1, #dutch-grand-prix, #fernando-alonso, #red-bull, #aston-martin, #alpine, #franco-colapinto, #haas, #liam-lawson, #arvid-lindblad, #isack-hadjar, #esteban-ocon, #primary_homepage_feature

A big piece of the Formula 1 driver market has fallen into place with [Max Verstappen's recommitment to Red Bull](https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/why-max-verstappen-suddenly-committed-red-bull-f1-2030/) until the end of 2030\.   
  
It's all but ruled out any major changes among F1 2026's top four teams for next year, but there are still some interesting lingering driver market questions.  
  
Here are the major outstanding issues to resolve now that Verstappen's decided *not* to make a bombshell departure.

## Red Bull’s in-house choice is now more complex

Now that Verstappen’s place is certain for ‘27, Red Bull can turn its attention to the other three seats in its stable. Isack Hadjar is on course to remain, but there is the possibility that the combination of his injury and Liam Lawson’s stand-in outing(s) could change that. 

However, the Racing Bulls line-up is more likely to change. Nikola Tsolov’s championship-leading performances in Formula 2 mean he’s closing on promotion as Red Bull’s next cab off the rank, which could create a problem. 

Red Bull will want to keep Arvid Lindblad in F1 after his strong rookie season, but Lawson’s performances in the other Racing Bulls car means he’s doing exactly the job the team needs him to. 

This means that, when it comes to deciding on its B-team’s 2027 line-up, Red Bull will likely have to decide if it wants to accelerate the progress of Tsolov, or stick with a driver line-up that has served it well this year. - **Edd Straw**

## Alonso has deferred his own big decision

Fernando Alonso had appeared at one point to be one of the key players in the driver market.

If he'd decided this was going to be his last season competing, then it could have left – even though Aston Martin is having a difficult 2026 season – a potentially interesting seat open for 2027.

But despite having spoken openly before the summer break of using August to make a call on whether or not he wanted to continue, Alonso has returned from his holidays kicking the can down the road a little bit.

He said he still needed things to be sorted in his own head about whether the competitive drive was still there for him to carry on – even though he says there is no doubt he will be competing somewhere, whether that is F1, Dakar or the Indy 500.

But he also intriguingly suggested that any movement on getting his fresh contract sorted would rest on what team owner Lawrence Stroll and team boss Adrian Newey wanted – and he had not had the chance to see them over the break.

An opportunity for a chat with either would only come at an F1 race or during his next visit to the Silverstone factory.

“Sitting with Lawrence and Adrian, if the need for the team is for me to drive, I will consider,” he said.

“I will be happy if I can be more valuable in another position, I will consider and I will be happy as well.”

On one hand Alonso’s comments suggest that there is some uncertainty – from both himself and the team about what goes on next.

But the reality is probably more that the main ambiguity that needs clearing up is how competitive Aston Martin can be in 2027.

If next season starts like this year did, you could easily see Alonso thinking that he could do without the commitment of going all in and racing again.

But if Honda’s upgrade this weekend shows the promise that has been teased from the dynos and the Hungary filming day, and Aston Martin can unleash further improvements from its B-spec chassis, then expect a tad more enthusiasm to get that deal over the line.

By the time Alonso gets to see Stroll Sr properly, most likely at the Silverstone factory, Zandvoort will be in the bag and the picture of Aston Martin’s potential will be clearer.

And there is also no huge rush to get a deal over the line as other potential big-name candidates – like Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz – linked with the seat over recent months have all locked themselves down elsewhere.

In the end, the direction of travel points towards another contract extension for Alonso. - **Jon Noble**

## What about Alonso's old team?

Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore had cheekily suggested a few months ago that he would hold fire on making a call on who Pierre Gasly’s team-mate in 2027 would be until he knew what Mercedes was doing with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

The opportunity to exploit any explosive fall out at the German manufacturer and grab on the Silver Arrows pair was too good a one to miss - even if it was very remote.

But with that door pretty much shut now, it means incumbent Franco Colapinto is increasingly likely to get a contract extension so long as he continues doing what he's doing right now.

The Argentine had a shaky start to life at Alpine last year, as he struggled to meet the high expectations placed on his shoulders and endured his fair share of frustrations early on.

But a stronger end to 2025, and with momentum having carried through into this year, has pointed to him doing everything he needs to stay.

Colapinto himself talks of being “happier than last year” and feeling more comfortable in the team – but well knows that Briatore is a hard taskmaster who will demand even more from him.

But based on where Alpine is in the pecking order, and that sorting out its car and team infrastructure right now is the main priority, Colapinto’s progress is in line with what is needed for him to keep his seat.

Briatore told The Race recently that Colapinto was “from last year to this year, improving 100%,” but wanted to see that development continue.

So if Colapinto keeps going like now, there is every reason to believe that deal will get across the line. 

He may just have to wait a little bit for things to be settled though - as Briatore likes nothing more than keeping his drivers hungry. - **JN**

## Sharks are circling for Ocon's Haas seat

Esteban Ocon has an option in his Haas contract for 2026, but for some time he’s been drifting towards the exit door with multiple potential alternatives. 

However, he’s still in the mix, especially after an improved performance before the August break.

The trouble is that there are many other options for Haas, which is taking a patient approach to deciding who should be team-mate to Ollie Bearman, who is under option for 2027\. 

An agreement exists to take Formula 2 championship leader Leonardo Fornaroli on loan from McLaren should Haas want to, and he made a positive impression when testing a 2025 Haas at Jerez earlier this year. 

Current F2 frontrunner Rafael Camara will also drive the ‘25 car soon and is also in the mix. Ferrari, which has him under contract, is pushing for Camara to get the place. 

However, it’s important to note that Ferrari has no direct control over the seat.

Toyota-contracted Ryo Hirakawa and reserve driver Jack Doohan are also on the teams books and should not be ruled out. - **ES**