George Russell Secures His Future with Mercedes Until 2026
British driver George Russell has confirmed his continued presence with Mercedes for the 2026 season, ending speculation about his future with the team. The news, expected by many, comes after a period of uncertainty in which Mercedes explored different options for its driver lineup.
This decision comes after Max Verstappen confirmed he would stay at Red Bull at the end of July, clearing the way for Mercedes to keep Russell and young talent Kimi Antonelli.
Russell, who joined Mercedes in 2017 as a junior driver, expressed his satisfaction at continuing his journey with the team. “I am very proud to continue our journey together,” declared the driver. “Next year will mark my tenth anniversary since I signed with Mercedes in 2017.”Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff also commented on the renewal. “Confirming our driver lineup was always a question of when, not if,” Wolff stated. “We took our time, handled the negotiations properly, and made sure everyone, in all aspects, was happy. I am glad we did. George and Kimi have proven to be a strong pairing and we are excited to continue our journey together.”
The arrival of Antonelli to the team as a rookie this year, after the departure of Lewis Hamilton, was also key to the team’s configuration for the future.
Antonelli, for his part, also expressed his enthusiasm for continuing with the team. “I am super excited to continue with the team. I have learned a lot in my first season in F1, both in the good times and in the more challenging ones.”
Mercedes hopes to take advantage of the 2026 regulatory changes, which include a new engine formula and significant modifications to the cars, to return to the top of the competition.
