Mercedes have announced that they will continue with the driver line-up of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli for the 2026 Formula One season. 

The announcement comes following uncertainty surrounding both drivers' futures with the Silver Arrows, with Mercedes linked with a swoop for Max Verstappen earlier this year. 

However, Verstappen has since confirmed he would remain with Red Bull until the end of next season, though both contracts have taken their time before being finalised. 

But the decision has now finally been set in stone ahead of this weekend's United States Grand Prix, with Russell looking to build on his triumph in Singapore last time out. 

The 27-year-old Briton has recorded seven pole positions, 23 grand prix podium finishes and one sprint victory during his seven seasons in motorsport's elite category.

Eight of his podiums have come in 2025. Should he land another one in the final six races, it will be his best record in a year in F1, surpassing the eight he managed in 2022. 

"I am really proud to be continuing our journey together," said Russell. "Next year will mark my 10th since I signed with Mercedes back in 2017.

"It has been such a long and successful partnership with the team so far, and 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."

It's official

We are delighted to confirm that George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will continue as the team’s driver line-up into 2026

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) October 15, 2025

Antonelli has endured a mixed first season in F1 and has been outperformed by his team-mate across all 18 races this season, never finishing higher than Russell. 

The Italian has, however, taken pole position in the sprint race in Miami as well as becoming the third-youngest driver to claim a podium in F1 history in Canada. 

But a difficult run during the European leg of the campaign saw questions surround his future at Mercedes, with team principal Toto Wolff calling his performance at the recent Italian Grand Prix "underwhelming". 

The 19-year-old has since responded with fourth and fifth-placed finishes in Azerbaijan and Singapore, respectively. 

"I'm super excited to be continuing with the team," Antonelli added. "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."