Good news for Formula 1 fans! George Russell has secured his place at Mercedes for the 2026 season, ending speculation about his future with the team. The announcement, expected for weeks, confirms that Russell will continue competing alongside Kimi Antonelli. The confirmation came after Mercedes explored options with Max Verstappen. Following Verstappen’s decision to stay at Red Bull, Toto Wolff, head of the Mercedes team, announced the continuation of Russell and Antonelli.
Russell, who joined Mercedes as a junior driver in 2017 and is managed by the team, expressed his pride in continuing the journey together. The British driver debuted with Mercedes at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, replacing Lewis Hamilton, and joined the team full-time in 2022. The arrival of Antonelli, who joined this year after Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari, was also confirmed for the 2026 season. The German team will seek to capitalize on the 2026 regulatory changes, which will include a new engine formula and significant modifications to the cars. Russell expressed his enthusiasm for the future, highlighting the importance of this partnership and the challenges ahead with changes in regulations. Antonelli, for his part, was excited to continue with the team, thanking them for the support and trust placed in him.Confirming our driver lineup was always a matter of when, not if. We wanted to take our time, handle the negotiations properly, and make sure everyone, from all sides, was happy.
Toto Wolff
