The Verstappen Sign: A False Sense of Security in F1's Driver Market The recent contract extensions for Max Verstappen and Lando Norris have sparked a collective sigh of relief from fans and teams alike, suggesting that the top seats on the Formula 1 grid are secure for at least the next few years.
However, beneath this surface level calm, several factors suggest that the driver market is far from settled. The performance of drivers currently tied down to specific teams is one key factor.
George Russell and Oscar Piastri have been outshone by their teammates this season, with Norris taking advantage of F1's new 2026 cars to establish himself as a championship contender.