Mercedes confirmed they are going to retain their present driver line-up for the 2026 System 1 season as contract extensions for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have been introduced.
Each drivers’ futures with the workforce have been thrown into doubt by Mercedes’ makes an attempt earlier this 12 months to signal reigning world champion Max Verstappen from Crimson Bull.
Verstappen confirming in late July that he would stick with Crimson Bull till a minimum of the tip of 2026 appeared to make it a formality that Mercedes’ line-up would stay unchanged, nevertheless it has taken a number of months of negotiations for the offers to be agreed.
Apparently. Mercedes didn’t make particular point out of their announcement of contract size for Russell and Antonelli, merely saying the pair have been confirmed for 2026.
It theoretically leaves the door open once more for Verstappen from 2027. Though the reigning world champion’s Crimson Bull contract runs to the tip of 2028, it’s understood to comprise efficiency clauses.
Mercedes workforce principal Toto Wolff mentioned: “Confirming our driver line-up was all the time only a matter of when, not if.
“We needed to take our time, deal with the negotiations correctly and ensure everybody, on all sides, was blissful. I am happy we’ve completed that.
“George and Kimi have proved a strong pairing and we’re excited to continue our journey together.
“Our focus is now on the ultimate six races of the 12 months, as we combat for second within the constructors’, and onwards to 2026 and a brand new period in F1.”
‘I can’t wait to see what lies ahead’ – Russell excited for Mercedes future
The announcement follows the fifth grand prix victory of Russell’s Formula 1 career, which came at the Singapore Grand Prix.
The 27-year-old Brit has also recorded seven pole positions, 23 grand prix podium finishes and one Sprint victory during his seven seasons in motorsport’s elite category.
“I’m actually proud to be persevering with our journey collectively,” said Russell.
“Subsequent 12 months will mark my tenth since I signed with Mercedes again in 2017. It has been such a protracted and profitable partnership with the workforce to this point and I am unable to wait to see what lies forward, significantly as we embark on one of many largest regulation modifications within the sport’s historical past subsequent 12 months.
“We are all incredibly focused on making that a success and, for me personally, building on what has been my strongest season in F1 to date.”
Antonelli has endured a difficult rookie marketing campaign, with the Italian teenager to this point failing to provide the extent of efficiency many anticipated from a driver billed as a generational expertise.
The 19-year-old was fast-tracked into one of many sport’s most fascinating seats to interchange Lewis Hamilton because the seven-time world champion left to hitch Ferrari.
Russell has completed forward of Antonelli in any respect 18 grands prix this season, and has scored 237 world championship factors for Mercedes in comparison with Antonelli’s 88.
A extreme mid-season dip in Antonelli’s kind raised questions on his future with the workforce, however a latest upturn in kind, together with top-five finishes on the final two races, has relieved the stress that had been rising on him.
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