![\"Mercedes](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/M541637_1.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKimi Antonelli and George Russell have been confirmed at Mercedes for 2026. Image: Mercedes<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKimi Antonelli and George Russell have been confirmed at Mercedes for 2026. Image: Mercedes<\/p>\n
The announcement confirms a continuation of Mercedes\u2019 \u201chome-grown\u201d philosophy, with both drivers products of the team\u2019s junior program.<\/p>\n
Russell, who joined the Mercedes system in 2017, will enter his fifth season with the works outfit and eighth in Formula 1 overall. Antonelli, meanwhile, will continue into his sophomore year after a promising rookie campaign.<\/p>\n
Team principal Toto Wolff said the decision to retain both drivers was never in doubt, with the focus now turning to the end of the current season and beyond.<\/p>\n
\u201cConfirming our driver line-up was always just a matter of when, not if,\u201d Wolff said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to take our time, handle the negotiations properly and make sure everyone, on all sides, was happy.<\/p>\n
\u201cGeorge and Kimi have proved a strong pairing and we\u2019re excited to continue our journey together.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur focus is now on the final six races of the year, as we fight for second in the constructors\u2019, and onwards to 2026 and a new era in F1.\u201d<\/p>\n
Russell\u2019s new deal cements his place as team leader after a season in which he has taken two wins and reasserted his position as one of the grid\u2019s most consistent performers.<\/p>\n
Having joined Mercedes\u2019 works squad in 2022 following three years with Williams, the Briton has since claimed five Grand Prix victories \u2014 including a recent triumph in Singapore \u2014 and is relishing the opportunity to lead the team into the next generation of regulations.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am really proud to be continuing our journey together,\u201d Russell said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNext year will mark my 10th since I signed with Mercedes back in 2017.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been such a long and successful partnership with the team so far and I can\u2019t wait to see what lies ahead, particularly as we embark on one of the largest regulation changes in the sport\u2019s history next year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Antonelli, the confirmation brings stability after an up-and-down debut season in which the Italian teenager has shown flashes of brilliance.<\/p>\n
The 19-year-old became the third-youngest podium finisher in F1 history with his maiden top-three result in Canada and also took sprint pole in Miami, underscoring Mercedes\u2019 long-term belief in his potential.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m super excited to be continuing with the team,\u201d Antonelli said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve learnt so much in my first season in F1, both in the good moments and the more challenging ones.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose have all made me stronger, not only as a driver but as a team-mate too.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to say thank you to Toto and everyone at Brackley and Brixworth for their continued support and faith in me.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur focus now is to finish this year strongly and secure second in the constructors\u2019 championship, before we then turn our full attention to 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
The move puts to rest months of speculation about Mercedes\u2019 future driver plans following Wolff\u2019s exploratory talks with Max Verstappen\u2019s camp<\/a> earlier in the year.<\/p>\n While discussions with the Red Bull star ultimately went nowhere, it temporarily cast uncertainty over Russell\u2019s future before the Briton and team agreed fresh terms.<\/p>\n