Mercedes introduced Wednesday it has retained its present Method 1 driver line-up of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli for the 2026 season.
The instant futures of the 2 drivers had not been doubtful in latest weeks, with workforce principal Toto Wolff stating they’d stay the drivers despite the fact that contract particulars had been nonetheless to be labored out. Nevertheless, following a yr during which Mercedes confirmed a transparent curiosity in Max Verstappen, the announcement of the retained line-up states each Russell and Antonelli are solely confirmed for one additional yr at this stage.
“Confirming our driver line-up was at all times only a matter of when, not if,” Wolff stated. “We needed to take our time, deal with the negotiations correctly and ensure everybody, on all sides, was glad. I am happy we now have achieved that. George and Kimi have proved a robust pairing and we’re excited to proceed our journey collectively.
“Our focus is now on the ultimate six races of the yr, as we battle for second within the constructors’, and onwards to 2026 and a brand new period in F1.”
Russell has delivered a formidable season to date, successful two races, together with final trip in Singapore, and at present sitting fourth within the drivers’ championship. The British driver – who’s managed by Mercedes and had little flexibility to hunt a transfer elsewhere – beforehand acknowledged he needed to ensure the small print of his new contract had been targeted on.
“I’m actually proud to be persevering with our journey collectively,” Russell stated. “Subsequent yr will mark my tenth since I signed with Mercedes again in 2017. It has been such an extended and profitable partnership with the workforce to date and I am unable to wait to see what lies forward, notably as we embark on one of many largest regulation adjustments within the sport’s historical past subsequent yr.
“We’re all extremely targeted on making {that a} success and, for me personally, constructing on what has been my strongest season in F1 so far.”
For Antonelli, the affirmation comes after an up-and-down rookie yr so far, however the Italian has one podium to his title and has completed within the high 5 in every of the previous two races.
“I am tremendous excited to be persevering with with the workforce,” Antonelli stated. “I’ve realized a lot in my first season in F1, each within the good moments and the more difficult ones. These have all made me stronger, not solely as a driver however as a teammate too. I need to say thanks to Toto and everybody at Brackley and Brixworth for his or her continued assist and religion in me.
“Our focus now could be to complete this yr strongly and safe second within the constructors’ championship, earlier than we then flip our full consideration to 2026. There’s loads for us nonetheless to realize in these remaining six races and we might be giving it our all.”
