George Russell, Kimi Antonelli Secure 2026 Mercedes F1 Seats
Mercedes has solidified its Formula 1 driver lineup for the 2026 season by retaining George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. This decision underscores the team’s confidence in both drivers, who come from Mercedes’ junior program and have contributed significantly to the team’s current performance, placing them second in the Constructors’ Championship with six races remaining.
George Russell: A Steady Force
George Russell, who has been with the Mercedes team since 2017, moved to the primary race team in 2022 after three seasons at Williams. Over his tenure, he has achieved five Grand Prix victories, with his most recent win occurring in Singapore. Russell’s upcoming season will mark his eighth year in F1 and his tenth year with Mercedes.
Kimi Antonelli: The Rising Star
Rookie driver Kimi Antonelli has had a remarkable year, highlighted by securing Sprint pole in Miami and achieving the youngest podium finish in Formula 1 history in Canada. Although he faced challenges during the European races, he demonstrated resilience with two top-five finishes in Baku and Singapore.
Statements from Team Leadership
Toto Wolff, team principal at Mercedes, shared insights on the retention of both drivers. “Confirming our driver line-up was always just a matter of when, not if,” he stated. Wolff expressed satisfaction with the negotiations, emphasizing a collaborative approach to ensure both drivers were happy with the outcome.
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, Russell expressed pride in his partnership with Mercedes and enthusiasm for the upcoming regulatory changes in Formula 1. “I’m focused on making this season a success and continuing our journey together,” he said.
Antonelli echoed this sentiment, sharing his excitement about progressing within the team. He thanked the entire Mercedes organization for their support throughout his rookie season and highlighted the importance of solidifying their performance in the remaining races of the year.
2026 Season Outlook
The retention of Russell and Antonelli leaves four seats available for the 2026 grid. Currently, there is one seat at Red Bull, two at Racing Bulls, and one at Alpine. Isack Hadjar is reportedly the leading candidate to partner with Max Verstappen at Red Bull, while F2 racer Arvid Lindblad is favored for one of the Racing Bulls seats. The competition for the remaining Racing Bulls seat is expected to be between Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, with Tsunoda slightly ahead in speculation.
As the season progresses, Mercedes aims to close strong, vying for second place in the Constructors’ Championship while looking toward the significant changes awaiting F1 in 2026.
