Summer’s arrival nudges Formula 1 into its notorious ‘silly season’, and the first major move came early at Monaco. Ferrari locked Charles Leclerc into an officially multi‑year deal, effectively removing the Italian star from the market for the next decade. The extension reshapes the driver puzzle, leaving only a handful of high‑profile seats still up for grabs.

The centerpiece remains Max Verstappen, whose contract runs to 2028 but who has no intention of renewing yet. In Monaco the Dutchman told Dutch media he will decide after two factors: whether he wants to stay in F1 and which team can offer a competitive package. A proposed 60‑40 power‑unit split could tip his decision, though manufacturers still clash over the rule.

Red Bull leans on the freedom it grants Verstappen—access to endurance races and GT3 projects—to keep him happy, while rivals Mercedes and McLaren watch his standings closely. George Russell has confirmed his stay at Mercedes, but performance will dictate any shift. Should Verstappen move, names like Oscar Piastri and the now‑off‑market Leclerc surface as logical targets, setting the stage for a market domino effect.