Mercedes to keep George Russell and Kimi Antonelli for 2026, confirms Toto Wolff
Mercedes F1 chief Toto Wolff confirms George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli will remain their drivers in 2026 as the team fine-tunes off-track demands.
Mercedes will retain George Russell and Kimi Antonelli as their 2026 Formula 1 driver line-up, team principal Toto Wolff announced after the Dutch Grand Prix.
Although Russell’s contract details are still being finalised, Wolff said the decision was settled. "We’re committed to both of them," he explained, noting the team is optimising travel and marketing schedules for its drivers.
Mercedes had considered Max Verstappen earlier this season, but after Red Bull confirmed his stay, discussions with Russell resumed. Wolff added that the team is rebalancing off-track obligations to maximise on-track performance.
Anticipated announcement
Wolff indicated that a formal press release might follow but likely without fanfare. "I don’t expect a big announcement in Monza," he said. "It will just confirm that we’ve signed the agreements."
Wolff’s confidence in Antonelli
Russell, who had already expressed confidence in his future at Mercedes, welcomed the extra time to finalise terms. "There’s no rush; we want to get it right," he said.
Meanwhile, rookie Antonelli faced challenges at Zandvoort, retiring after a collision and later penalised for speeding in the pit lane. Nonetheless, Wolff remains unwavering: "I have 100% belief in his long-term potential, and learning curves will have highs and lows."
Wolff’s confirmation cements stability in Mercedes’ 2026 roster, underpinning their strategy to nurture talent while fine-tuning driver commitments off the circuit.
This topic was reported by BBC Sport.
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