Mercedes F1: Russell and Antonelli confirmed for 2026, New Era!

George Russell Secures His Future with Mercedes Until 2026

George Russell has confirmed his stay at Mercedes for the 2026 season, ending speculation about his future. The news, expected for weeks, ensures the continuity of the British driver in the team alongside Kimi Antonelli. The announcement comes after a period of uncertainty, where Mercedes evaluated various options, including current champion Max Verstappen. However, Verstappen confirmed his stay at Red Bull, paving the way for Mercedes to reaffirm its confidence in Russell and Antonelli.

“Confirming our driver lineup was only a matter of when, not if,” stated Toto Wolff, head of the Mercedes team. “We wanted to take our time, handle the negotiations properly, and make sure everyone, in every aspect, was happy.”

Toto Wolff

Russell, who joined Mercedes in 2017 as a junior driver, has been managed by the team, including Wolff. His promotion to a full-time driver in 2022 coincided with a period of challenges for Mercedes, although the team remains optimistic about the regulatory changes of 2026.

The driver expressed his pride in continuing with Mercedes, highlighting the importance of the long-standing partnership. “Next year will mark my tenth anniversary since I signed with Mercedes in 2017. It has been such a long and successful partnership with the team so far and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us, particularly as we embark on one of the biggest regulation changes in the history of the sport next year,” commented Russell. Antonelli, who joined Mercedes as a rookie this year, also expressed his enthusiasm for staying with the team. “I am very excited to continue with the team,” he stated. “I have learned a lot in my first season in F1, both in the good times and in the more challenging ones.”