George Russell will remain with Mercedes for next season after the Formula One team confirmed they would be sticking with their drivers in 2026. But the length of the contracts signed by the Briton and his teammate, Kimi Antonelli, have not been specified, potentially leaving the F1 team open to once more pursue Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for 2027.
The long-expected decision comes after a protracted period of negotiation with Russell, as Mercedes seek stability going into the new regulations of 2026. The 27-year-old British driver has five wins in eight seasons in F1, including victory in Singapore, helping propel Mercedes into a fight for second in the world championship with Ferrari and Red Bull.
With a complete reset of the regulations next season the form book could change radically and Mercedes will be looking to be flexible come mid-season when it becomes clear who has come out on top, leaving the door open for another pursuit of Verstappen. A switch would look more attractive to the Dutch world champion should, as many expect, Mercedes emerge with a strong car.
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Antonelli, who was brought in from the team’s junior programme to replace Lewis Hamilton this season, has had a rollercoaster first year in F1 but became the third youngest driver to take a podium with third place in Canada. In seventh in the drivers’ championship, the 19-year-old Italian is the highest-placed of this season’s rookie intake.
Wolff said: “Confirming our driver lineup 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. George and Kimi have proved a strong pairing and we’re excited to continue our journey together.”
