Mercedes have finally brought an end to months of speculation by confirming George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will remain with the team for the 2026 Formula One season, securing an unchanged driver line-up as the sport heads into a new regulatory era.
The announcement on Wednesday concluded a protracted contract negotiation process that had left both drivers’ futures uncertain after Mercedes’ highly publicised pursuit of reigning world champion Max Verstappen earlier this year.
Russell, 27, and rookie sensation Antonelli, 19, have both signed new deals with the Silver Arrows, though Mercedes opted not to disclose the length of the contracts in their official statement, fuelling further intrigue about the team’s long-term planning.
The drawn-out negotiations had cast doubt over Russell’s position at the team he joined as a junior driver in 2017, particularly after the Briton himself acknowledged in June that Mercedes had been in discussions with Verstappen about a potential switch from Red Bull.
Those talks ultimately came to nothing when the four-time world champion confirmed in late July he would remain with Red Bull until at least the end of 2026, paving the way for Mercedes to finalise arrangements with their existing drivers.
Team principal Toto Wolff insisted the delay in confirming the line-up had been deliberate, designed to ensure all parties were satisfied with the terms. “Confirming our driver line-up was always just a matter of when, not if,” Wolff said. “We wanted to take our time, handle the negotiations properly and make sure everyone, on all sides, was happy.”
The Austrian added that Mercedes were pleased to continue their journey with both drivers as they prepare for what he described as “a new era in Formula One” under sweeping technical regulations set to transform the sport next season.
Russell expressed his pride at extending his partnership with Mercedes into a 10th year since originally signing with the team. “Next year will mark my 10th since I signed with Mercedes back in 2017,” the five-time race winner said. It has been such a long and successful partnership with the team so far and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead, particularly as we embark on one of the largest regulation changes in the sport’s history next year.
The Briton has enjoyed his strongest season in Formula One to date, winning races in Singapore and Las Vegas whilst comprehensively outperforming his teenage teammate across the campaign. Russell has scored 237 world championship points compared to Antonelli’s 88, and has finished ahead of the Italian at all 18 grands prix this season.
His recent victory at the Singapore Grand Prix, where he dominated proceedings to claim his second win of the year, underlined his credentials as Mercedes’ lead driver following Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari at the end of 2024.
Russell’s position as the team’s number one has been cemented by his consistent performances, recording seven pole positions, 23 podium finishes and one Sprint victory across his seven seasons in Formula One’s top tier.
For Antonelli, the confirmation provides much-needed stability after a turbulent rookie campaign that has featured both flashes of brilliance and concerning struggles. The Italian teenager joined Mercedes directly from the team’s junior programme after Hamilton’s shock decision to leave, and has faced the enormous pressure of filling the boots of a seven-time world champion.
A severe mid-season dip in form raised serious questions about whether Mercedes had promoted him too soon, with some observers suggesting the team might look elsewhere for 2026. However, recent improvements, including top-five finishes at the last two races, appear to have convinced management that he deserves more time to develop.
“I’m super excited to be continuing with the team,” Antonelli said. “I’ve learnt so much in my first season in Formula One, both in the good moments and the more challenging ones. Those have all made me stronger, not only as a driver but as a teammate too.”
The 19-year-old thanked Wolff and the entire Mercedes operation for their continued faith in him, acknowledging the support had been crucial during difficult periods. “Our focus now is to finish this year strongly and secure second in the constructors’ championship, before we then turn our full attention to 2026,” he added.
Mercedes are currently locked in a fierce battle with Ferrari and Hamilton for second place in the constructors’ championship, with six races remaining in the season. The team will be desperate to overhaul their Italian rivals and prevent the embarrassment of being beaten by Hamilton in his first year at Ferrari.
The decision to retain both drivers represents a commitment to continuity as Formula One undergoes perhaps its most significant technical revolution in decades. The 2026 regulations will introduce dramatically different power units and aerodynamic concepts, with many predicting a complete reshuffling of the competitive order.
Mercedes, who dominated the turbo-hybrid era between 2014 and 2021, are tipped to emerge as frontrunners under the new rules, having invested heavily in their 2026 project. The team’s decision to stick with Russell and Antonelli suggests confidence that this pairing can deliver championships once the cars prove competitive.
However, the unusual lack of detail regarding contract lengths has sparked speculation about whether Mercedes have built flexibility into the agreements. Such arrangements would allow the team to revisit their options should Verstappen become available again, or should either driver’s form deteriorate significantly.
Earlier this year, Russell addressed the uncertainty surrounding his future with remarkable candour, suggesting he was relaxed about the situation despite the intense media scrutiny. “It feels like everyone is more worried about my future than myself to be honest,” he said in July. “I’ve got nothing to worry about, I know there will be a space for me in Formula One one way or another next season. I’ve got no doubt about that.”
The Briton, who is managed by Mercedes and therefore has limited control over his own destiny within the sport, insisted he was not exploring alternative options despite the team’s courtship of Verstappen. “I’m performing, I’m doing the job, have the majority of the points for the team so they want me as much as I want them,” Russell said at the time.
Wolff’s public praise for both drivers suggests genuine satisfaction with how the partnership has developed during a challenging transitional season. “George and Kimi have proved a strong pairing and we’re excited to continue our journey together,” the team principal said.
The confirmation leaves only one remaining question mark over Mercedes’ 2026 plans, with the identity of their reserve driver yet to be announced. Valtteri Bottas, who has filled that role this season, is widely expected to join the new Cadillac team as a race driver, leaving Mercedes to identify a replacement.
As Russell and Antonelli now focus on the final six races of 2025, both will be eager to build momentum heading into what could be a pivotal season for Mercedes. The team has endured a frustrating campaign, with Wolff describing the W16 car as a “surprise box” that delivered two victories but also plenty of mediocre weekends.
A misguided suspension upgrade led the squad astray for several weeks mid-season before they reverted to their baseline setup, highlighting the technical challenges that have prevented Mercedes from mounting a sustained title challenge.
Yet there remains optimism that Mercedes’ vast resources and engineering expertise will pay dividends when Formula One’s new era begins. If the team can produce a competitive package, Russell and Antonelli will be tasked with delivering the championships that have eluded Mercedes since 2021.
For Russell, who turns 28 next February, time is ticking to fulfil his ambitions of becoming a world champion. He had hoped to be fighting for titles by now, seven seasons into his Formula One career, but has instead spent recent years rebuilding Mercedes following their fall from dominance.
“I’m definitely more hungry than ever,” Russell said earlier this summer. “I would have hoped that by now I would have at least had a year of fighting for a championship. You’ve just got to accept the fact that that is the nature of Formula One.”
The Briton drew parallels with Michael Schumacher, who didn’t win a championship with Ferrari until his fifth year with the team, suggesting he still has time on his side to achieve his goals. “I’m 27, so I’ve still got a bit of time,” Russell noted.
For Antonelli, the confirmation removes one source of pressure but adds another. The teenager must now prove Mercedes were right to retain him, demonstrating he can develop into a future world champion rather than becoming another junior driver who failed to fulfil their potential.
The next six races will provide crucial evidence of whether Mercedes have made the correct call, both in retaining Antonelli and in passing up the opportunity to pursue Verstappen more aggressively. Only when the 2026 cars hit the track will the true wisdom of their decisions become apparent.
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