The Mercedes Formula 1 Team have confirmed that George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will continue as their driver pairing into the 2026 season, maintaining one of the grid’s youngest and most dynamic line-ups.
Russell, 27, will enter his eighth year in Formula 1 and his fourth as a Mercedes race driver, while 19-year-old Antonelli will embark on his second campaign in the top flight. Both drivers are graduates of the Mercedes Junior Programme, with Russell having joined in 2017 and Antonelli two years later.
Since stepping up from Williams in 2022, Russell has secured five Grand Prix victories for the works team. Antonelli, meanwhile, impressed throughout his rookie season, becoming the third youngest podium finisher in F1 history and a standout among one of the sport’s strongest new driver classes.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff said: “Confirming our driver line-up 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. I’m pleased we have done that.
"George and Kimi have proved a strong pairing and we’re excited to continue our journey together. Our focus is now on the final six races of the year, as we fight for second in the Constructors’, and onwards to 2026 and a new era in F1," added Wolff.
Russell: It’s been a long and successful partnership
Russell reflected on the announcement, saying: “I am really proud to be continuing our journey together. Next year will mark my tenth since I signed with Mercedes back in 2017. It has been such a long and successful partnership with the team so far.
"I can’t wait to see what lies ahead, particularly as we embark on one of the largest regulation changes in the sport’s history next year. 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," declared the Englishman.
Antonelli added: “I’m super excited to be continuing with the team. I’ve learnt so much in my first season in F1, both in the good moments and the more challenging ones. Those have all made me stronger, not only as a driver but as a team-mate too.
"I want to say thank you to Toto and everyone at Brackley and Brixworth for their continued support and faith in me. Our focus now is to finish this year strongly and secure second in the Constructors’ Championship, before we then turn our full attention to 2026. There’s plenty for us still to achieve in these final six races and we will be giving it our all," concluded Anntonelli.
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