F1 2027 driver market receives 'very hot' prediction by F1 driver manager

The F1 driver market is set to be “very hot” next year, according to Charles Leclerc's manager, Nicolas Todt.

The current grid underwent a huge shift ahead of the 2025 season, with just two teams (McLaren and Aston Martin) fielding an unchanged line-up from last year.

With many drivers tied down to multi-year deals, the grid is not set to undergo any significant changes next year when fresh technical regulations come into play.

However, Todt is expecting to see more movement for the 2027 season once the pecking order under the new rules takes shape.

“A lot of drivers are waiting to see how well each team will have worked, and how good their car will be to say ‘I want to stay in my team’ or ‘I want to go to another team because they are doing a better job’,” Todt told The Straits Times.

The Frechman added that he expects the driver market to be “very hot”.

Leclerc, who has been associated with Todt for many years, also has a long-term agreement in place with Ferrari.

Having joined the Italian squad in 2019, Leclerc is still awaiting his first concrete opportunity to battle for a championship.

Todt, who is the son of former Ferrari team principal Jean, is hopeful the new regulations will give Leclerc his long-awaited chance.

“Charles is one of the best talent of his generation, with Max and a few of the drivers,” he said.

“He’s not a baby any more because he has done a lot of seasons with Ferrari and of course, I think that we still need to have a winning car.

“Today, we have a good car, but not enough to win the title... We hope it will happen and we hope next year Ferrari will have a very good car with the new regulations.”