The Mercedes F1 team have confirmed that George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will continue to race for the Silver Arrows in 2026.
Russell and Antonelli’s contracts were set to expire at the end of the current season, and doubt has been cast over their futures by Team Principal Toto Wolff's courting of four-time world champion Max Verstappen.
Verstappen confirmed his future would still be with his championship-winning Red Bull side, leaving questions surrounding the driver line-up for one of the most successful teams of the turbo-hybrid era.
But Toto Wolff confirmed on Wednesday: “George and Kimi have proved a strong pairing and we’re excited to continue our journey together.
Mercedes will be sticking with their driver line up of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli for 2026
|GETTY
“We wanted to take our time, handle the negotiations properly, and make sure everyone, on all sides, was happy. I’m pleased we have done that.
“Our focus is now on the final six races of the year, as we fight for second in the Constructors’ [championship standings] and onwards into 2026 and a new era of F1.”
George Russell, who won the most recent race in Singapore, said: “I am really proud to be continuing our journey together.
“Next year will mark my 10th year since I signed with Mercedes back in 2017. 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.
“We are all incredibly focused on making that a success and, for me personally, building on what has been my strongest season in F1 to date.”
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George Russell took the most recent win at the Singapore Grand Prix
| REUTERSRookie sensation Kimi Antonelli will also be getting another season in the highly sought after Mercedes seat.
The Italian has shown flashes of excellence, like when he took pole in May's Miami sprint race, and will look to develop further next year.
Speaking after the announcement, the 19-year-old said: “I’m super excited to be continuing with the team.
“I’ve learnt so much in my first season in F1, both in the good moments and the more challenging ones. Those have all made me stronger, not only as a driver but also as a team-mate.
“I want to say thank you to Toto and everyone at Brackley and Brixworth for their continued support and faith in me.
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“Our focus now is to finish this year strongly and secure second in the Constructor’s Championship, before we then turn our full attention to 2026.
“There’s plenty for us to achieve in the final six races and we will be giving it our all.”
Kimi Antonelli has shown flashes of brilliance in his rookie season
|GETTY
The team is locked in a battle with Ferrari and former Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton for second place in the Constructors’ Championship and will be hoping for a strong finish to the final six races now that uncertainty over next year’s driver lineup has been resolved
Following a brief break, the teams will be back on track this weekend for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, where Mercedes have often shown strong form