George Russell: Mercedes driver's new contract and what it means for F1 driver market, Max Verstappen's future
Key Takeaways
- Mercedes officially confirmed George Russell and Kimi Antonelli as their driver lineup for the 2026 F1 season.
- The announcement was made on Wednesday, just before the United States Grand Prix weekend in Austin.
- The exact duration of the contracts for both drivers was not specified in the official team statement.
- It is understood that George Russell has signed a multi-year deal, likely extending through 2027.
- Kimi Antonelli's confirmation solidifies his second season with the senior team, following his 2025 debut replacing Lewis Hamilton.
The long-anticipated confirmation arrived on Wednesday, just before the United States Grand Prix weekend in Austin, with Mercedes officially announcing that George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will remain as the team's driver pairing for the 2026 Formula 1 season. This confirmation solidifies Russell's tenure for a fifth season with the Silver Arrows and Antonelli's second, following the latter's move to replace Lewis Hamilton in 2025. Crucially, the team did not specify the exact contract lengths for either driver in the public announcement, leading to immediate debate. It is widely understood that Russell has agreed to a multi-year contract, which is believed to cover at least the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Mercedes has maintained less public detail about the 19-year-old Antonelli's overall contract status, though given his history with the team since age 12 and his status as a future star, his deal is presumed to be long-term with options. This driver lineup confirmation sets a key piece of the puzzle for the F1 driver market as the sport approaches its new technical regulations era.
