Mercedes have lastly confirmed a brand new contract extension for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
The information, introduced on Wednesday forward of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix on the Circuit of The Americas, brings to a detailed a long-running saga surrounding Russell’s future at Mercedes.
Crash.internet understands Russell’s contract extension is a multi-year one.
Mercedes additionally confirmed that Russell’s teammate Kimi Antonelli has been formally retained for 2026.
A brand new deal for each drivers had been thought-about a formality, however Mercedes’ curiosity in signing Max Verstappen slowed down the method.
Even after Verstappen confirmed he can be staying at Purple Bull for no less than 2026 in July, negotiations between Russell and Mercedes dragged on longer than anticipated.
However Mercedes have lastly put hypothesis surrounding the 27-year-old Briton’s future to mattress by confirming an extension.
Russell has been one of many standout performers throughout the 2025 season and together with Verstappen, is the one non-McLaren driver to win a race this 12 months.
He adopted up his victory on the Canadian Grand Prix in June with a formidable win on the Singapore Grand Prix final day trip.
Russell sits fourth within the drivers’ championship with 237 factors and is considered one of solely 5 drivers nonetheless in mathematical competition for the title with six races remaining.
What took Mercedes so lengthy?
Mercedes are standing by Antonelli
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff insisted the affirmation of his workforce’s driver line-up for 2026 was “at all times only a matter of when, not if”.
“We needed to take our time, deal with the negotiations correctly and ensure everybody, on all sides, was pleased,” Wolff defined.
“I am happy we now have performed that. George and Kimi have proved a powerful pairing and we’re excited to proceed our journey collectively. Our focus is now on the ultimate six races of the 12 months, as we struggle for second within the Constructors’, and onwards to 2026 and a brand new period in F1.”
Russell stated: “I’m actually proud to be persevering with our journey collectively. Subsequent 12 months will mark my tenth since I signed with Mercedes again in 2017.
“It has been such an extended and profitable partnership with the workforce thus far and I can not wait to see what lies forward, significantly as we embark on one of many largest regulation adjustments within the sport’s historical past subsequent 12 months.
“We’re all extremely targeted on making {that a} success and, for me personally, constructing on what has been my strongest season in F1 to this point.”
Antonelli, who has endured a rocky rookie F1 season in 2025, stated: “I am tremendous excited to be persevering with with the workforce. I’ve learnt 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 team-mate too. I need to say thanks to Toto and everybody at Brackley and Brixworth for his or her continued help and religion in me.
“Our focus now’s to complete this 12 months strongly and safe second within the Constructors’ Championship, earlier than we then flip our full consideration to 2026. There’s a lot for us nonetheless to attain in these last six races and we shall be giving it our all.”
