F1 2027 grid: Racing Bulls, Haas and Cadillac keep drivers waiting as final seats stay open

With five rounds of the 2026 season left, most of the 2027 Formula 1 grid is settled, but a handful of drivers still do not know where they will be racing next year. Racing Bulls have yet to name either of their drivers, Haas still have one seat officially open, and Cadillac's team boss used the United States Grand Prix weekend to leave the door ajar on a change. Here is where the remaining questions stand after Austin.

Racing Bulls: Lawson, Lindblad or Tsolov

Racing Bulls are the only team with both seats unconfirmed. Team principal Alan Permane said earlier this month that the decision would come in the coming weeks, noting that three candidates do not fit into two seats.

Those three are Liam Lawson, rookie Arvid Lindblad and Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov, who has been fighting for the Formula 2 title. Lindblad is widely seen as secure after a solid first season, which leaves Lawson as the driver at risk if Tsolov is promoted.

Lawson strengthened his case in Austin, finishing ninth from tenth on the grid as the best car outside the top four teams. Asked about his future, the New Zealander said he is in a good place and is focused on scoring as many points as possible this year. Some New Zealand media have suggested recent signals from the team point towards him staying, but there has been no official announcement.

Haas: Camara in, Bearman's deal pending

Haas filled one 2027 seat earlier this month by signing Ferrari junior and F2 frontrunner Rafael Camara on a multi-year deal. That confirmed Esteban Ocon will leave the team at the end of 2026.

The other seat is expected to go to Oliver Bearman, but his extension is still not official. Bearman said during the Austin weekend that the remaining issues are contractual, are being handled by his management and Ferrari, and are out of his hands. As a Ferrari junior, he said the Italian team has a big say in his future, and he still sees a Ferrari seat as his ultimate goal. His Austin race ended early as one of three retirements.

Cadillac: contracts in place, but questions asked

Cadillac's Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas are understood to hold multi-year deals, yet new team principal Marcin Budkowski declined to confirm either for 2027 when asked in Austin. He said contracts are not discussed in the media and would be announced by the team when the time is right.

Budkowski also revealed that pretty much every driver on the market, or their manager, had been in touch, without naming any. He described one of his drivers as running hot and the other cold. Perez has had the upper hand in their head-to-head this season. Bottas responded by insisting he knows his situation and that it is all good.

Reserve driver Colton Herta, who ran in first practice at the Circuit of the Americas, is reported to be an option, although Budkowski noted he is one point short of the super licence points he needs. Ocon is also free for 2027 and previously worked with Budkowski at Renault.

The rest of the grid

Elsewhere, line-ups are locked in. Mercedes keep Antonelli and George Russell, Red Bull have Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, Ferrari retain Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, and McLaren continue with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Williams, Aston Martin, Audi and Alpine have also confirmed both drivers.

Key takeaways

• Three 2027 seats remain officially open: both at Racing Bulls and one at Haas.
• Racing Bulls must choose two from Lawson, Lindblad and F2 contender Tsolov.
• Lawson finished ninth in Austin and says he is focused on scoring points.
• Bearman's Haas extension is still pending, with Ferrari closely involved.
• Cadillac's Budkowski would not confirm Perez or Bottas for 2027, despite their existing deals.

FAQ

Which F1 seats are still open for 2027? Both Racing Bulls seats and one Haas seat. Haas have already signed Rafael Camara for the other.

Is Liam Lawson staying at Racing Bulls in 2027? Not confirmed. Team principal Alan Permane said a decision would come in the coming weeks, with Nikola Tsolov also in contention.

Are Perez and Bottas staying at Cadillac? Both are understood to have multi-year contracts, but team boss Marcin Budkowski would not publicly confirm either for 2027.

Sources: RacingNews365, PlanetF1, GPFans, Formula 1