Mercedes has put an end to ongoing and what seemed like never-ending speculation over their 2026 Formula One driver line-up by confirming that George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will continue to represent the Silver Arrows as the sport enters a new era of regulations.
What To Know?
- Russell and Antonelli confirmed as Mercedes’ 2026 F1 drivers
- Russell extends partnership dating back to 2017 junior programme
- Antonelli remains after record-breaking rookie season with F1 podium
The eight-time Constructors’ Champions announced the pairing ahead of the 2025 United States Grand Prix weekend, confirming that both Russell and Antonelli, long-time members of the Mercedes junior programme, will remain at the heart of their F1 project.
With six race weekends still to go in 2025, the duo have already helped Mercedes to second place in the 2025 Constructors’ Championship standings (as it stands), proving themselves as one of the most competitive partnerships on the grid.
Russell: entering year eight in F1, year ten with Mercedes
Russell’s relationship with Mercedes stretches back to 2017, when he joined the team’s junior ranks before graduating to Formula 1 with Williams. After three impressive seasons there, he earned his long-awaited promotion to the factory squad in 2022, sitting alongside seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton. Since then, the Briton has taken five Grand Prix victories, the most recent coming at the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix, just last weekend.
Next season will be Russell’s eighth in Formula 1 and his tenth as part of the Mercedes family, and the 26-year-old is eager for what’s to come.
“I am really proud to be continuing our journey together,” said Russell. “Next year will mark my 10th 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.”
Antonelli: teenage rookie turned record-breaker
For Kimi Antonelli, the confirmation caps a whirlwind debut season. The Italian prodigy, still just 18, became the youngest podium finisher in F1 history after his remarkable drive to third in Canada earlier this year. His season has seen flashes of brilliance, including a Sprint pole in Miami, alongside a learning curve through the European rounds. But strong top-five results in Baku and Singapore have underlined why Mercedes rate him so highly.
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“I’m super excited to be continuing with the team,” said Antonelli. “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 as a team mate too. I want to say thank you to Toto and everyone at Brackley and Brixworth for their continued support and faith in me.
“Our focus now is to finish this year strongly and secure second in the Constructors’ Championship, before we then turn our full attention to 2026. There’s plenty for us still to achieve in these final six races and we will be giving it our all.”
Wolff: “It was a matter of when, not if”
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff praised both drivers for their growth and commitment, saying that the decision was never in doubt.
“Confirming our driver line-up was always just a matter of when, not if,” said Wolff. “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. George and Kimi have proved a strong pairing and we’re excited to continue our journey together. Our focus is now on the final six races of the year, as we fight for second in the Constructors’, and onwards to 2026 and a new era in F1.”
The 2026 driver market tightens
Mercedes’ confirmation narrows the list of available seats for 2026 to just four: one at Red Bull, two at Racing Bulls, and one at Alpine.
Isack Hadjar is widely tipped to join Max Verstappen at Red Bull, while F2 star Arvid Lindblad is expected to earn a Racing Bulls promotion. That could set up an internal fight between Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson for the remaining Racing Bulls seat, with Tsunoda thought to have the upper hand.
Meanwhile, Franco Colapinto is favourite to stay alongside Pierre Gasly at Alpine, though reserve driver Paul Aron is still in contention.
As the 2025 season enters its final stretch, Mercedes’ stability stands in contrast to the uncertainty elsewhere on the grid. With Russell hitting his peak and Antonelli fast maturing, the Silver Arrows look well-positioned for the new era of F1 regulations.
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