Mercedes has officially confirmed that George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will continue as their driver lineup for the 2026 Formula 1 season.
This announcement was made just before the United States Grand Prix weekend and shortly after Russell's commanding victory in Singapore.
Team principal Toto Wolff emphasized that confirming the driver lineup was always a matter of timing rather than doubt, highlighting the thorough negotiation process to ensure satisfaction for all parties involved.
Wolff expressed confidence in the pairing of Russell and Antonelli and outlined the team's focus on the remaining six races of the current season and the upcoming new era in Formula 1 starting in 2026.
The decision to retain Russell and Antonelli became clearer after Max Verstappen confirmed his stay with Red Bull during the summer.
Although Wolff had pursued Verstappen for Mercedes, the Dutch driver will remain a consideration for the 2027 season.
Russell's contract negotiations took some time to finalize, reflecting mutual agreement on terms.
Russell stands out as one of the few drivers to have won races this season, alongside Verstappen and McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
Mercedes did not disclose the exact length of Russell's contract but confirmed both drivers will continue into 2026.
The 2026 season marks a significant transition in Formula 1, with major regulation changes affecting both chassis and engine designs.
It remains uncertain which teams will adapt best to these new rules.
Russell, who has secured two wins in 2025 and currently ranks fourth in the drivers' championship with six races left, expressed pride in continuing his partnership with Mercedes.
He noted that 2026 will mark his tenth year with the team since signing in 2017 and is eager to face the challenges posed by the regulation changes while building on his strongest season to date.
Kimi Antonelli will enter his second season with Mercedes after replacing seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who moved to Ferrari.
The 19-year-old Italian has shown promise with a pole position in the Miami sprint race and his first podium finish in Canada, where Russell also won.
However, Antonelli's rookie season has been mixed, with some errors during the European races leading Wolff to describe his performance at the Italian Grand Prix as "underwhelming." Despite this, Antonelli has rebounded with strong finishes in Azerbaijan and Singapore.
He acknowledged the pressures of his debut season but remains enthusiastic about continuing with Mercedes, crediting the team for their support and expressing determination to grow stronger both as a driver and teammate.