Several Formula 1 drivers are feeling the pressure as teams consider potential replacements for the upcoming 2026 season. The summer break often brings a flurry of driver changes and speculation, with former drivers like Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez eager to make a comeback in 2026.
So, which drivers are likely to be absent from the 2026 F1 grid? The Crash.NET team has pinpointed several drivers who haven’t performed well enough to secure contracts for next year.
Conor McDona notes that this season features one of the strongest groups of F1 drivers ever, making it tough for those underperforming. Franco Colapinto, for example, didn’t do enough to earn a race seat at Alpine in 2026. Despite some impressive races last year with Williams as a midseason replacement for Logan Sargent, Colapinto’s performance at Alpine hasn’t matched expectations. He failed to outperform Jack Doohan, who was already under pressure even before the season started. With many options available on the driver market, Colapinto will need to improve quickly.
Lewis Lalcum also points out that while Colapinto is an obvious candidate for replacement, Yuki Tsunoda is another driver whose performance is under scrutiny. Tsunoda joined Red Bull midway through 2025, replacing Liam Lawson, but has struggled. Although data suggests he’s gotten closer to Max Verstappen’s performance compared to past teammates, Tsunoda hasn’t consistently impressed. After earning points in his first few races, he hasn’t cracked the top 10 since and seems to be struggling with the RB21 car. Red Bull faces a key question: who should fill their second seat? Rookie Isack Hadjar is a strong contender, but it’s uncertain if he will move up. There’s still a chance for Tsunoda to turn things around, especially with new support from Laurent Mekies, but Red Bull’s split from Honda at the end of this season could mean his time with the team is limited.
Lewis Duncan highlights the difficult situation for Jack Doohan, who was dropped by Alpine before the season and replaced by Colapinto, who had shown promise with Williams last year. However, Colapinto has found it tough to replicate his form at Alpine, trailing behind teammate Pierre Guthrie, who has scored 20 points so far compared to Colapinto’s zero points in seven races. This situation has sparked discussions about rookie protections and Alpine’s management decisions.
Derry Munikartono explains that Colapinto was expected to outperform Doohan at Alpine but hasn’t lived up to expectations. He managed only a 13th-place finish earlier in the season, the same as Doohan, and a crash during a Pirelli test has raised further doubts. With Alpine also considering Mercedes reserve driver Valtteri Bottas as a potential replacement, Colapinto’s future is uncertain. The team needs a reliable driver for a struggling car, and Colapinto’s inconsistency is a concern as time runs out.
Rachit Thukral adds that while Colapinto faces challenges managing a non-competitive car, his performance doesn’t justify Alpine’s high investment. Although not completely out of prospects on the F1 grid, pairing him with Guthrie hasn’t eased Alpine’s troubles. Some suggest giving Jacques Doohan more seat time to prepare for 2026 might be a better strategy.
Fan Take: This driver shuffle signals high stakes for teams aiming to maximize performance as competition intensifies. For racing fans, these changes could reshape team dynamics and introduce fresh talent, potentially altering the sport’s competitive landscape in exciting ways.
