Mercedes have confirmed their driver line-up for the 2026 Formula 1 season, retaining George Russell and rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli.
The announcement, which team principal Toto Wolff had previously called a “foregone conclusion,” was made just before the United States Grand Prix weekend.
Wolff stated that securing the pairing was “always just a matter of when, not if,” highlighting their strength together.
The decision comes as F1 prepares for a major regulation overhaul in 2026.
Russell, who recently secured a dominant win in Singapore, has signed an extension as he embarks on what he calls his “strongest season in F1 to date.” He is currently fourth in the Drivers’ Championship.
Antonelli will head into his second season, having replaced Lewis Hamilton. Despite an “up-and-down” rookie year that included a maiden podium in Canada and some recent errors, Mercedes reaffirmed their belief in Antonelli’s potential as a future winner.
With Max Verstappen choosing to remain at Red Bull, the focus for Mercedes shifts to securing second place in the 2025 Constructors’ Championship and preparing for the new era of F1 in 2026.
