AUSTIN, Texas — Mercedes has put months of speculation to rest.
As the Formula 1 grid arrived in Austin for the United States Grand Prix, Mercedes confirmed that George Russell and Kimi Antonelli would be back with the team for next season. In the official announcement, Team Principal Toto Wolff declared that the move was “always just a matter of when, not if.”
“Confirming our driver line-up was always just a matter of when, not if. We wanted to take our time, handle the negotiations properly and make sure everyone, on all sides, was happy,” said Wolff. “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.”
Russell, who is in the middle of arguably his best season on the grid, stated he was “proud’ to be continuing his Mercedes journey.
“I am really proud to be continuing our journey together. 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.”
Russell has secured a pair of grand prix wins this season, including last time out at the Singapore Grand Prix, and has eight podiums, both of which match his career highs. He enters the United States Grand Prix sitting fourth in the Drivers’ Championship standings.
Antonelli, the rookie phenom who arrived on the grid to much fanfare, highlighted the team’s fight with Ferrari for second in the Constructors’ Championship.
“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 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,” said Antonelli.
“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.”
Mercedes is currently 27 points ahead of Ferrari in that fight.
Russell was on the final year of his contract, while Antonelli was driving on a one-year deal.
The announcement leaves four open seats on the 2026 grid: A seat at Alpine next to Pierre Gasly, a seat at Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen, and both seats at Visa Cash App Racing Bulls.
SB Nation will be on the ground all week for the F1 United States Grand Prix, so follow all the action along with us!
