George Russell and Kimi Antonelli locked in for 2026

George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli have both signed a deal with Mercedes Formula 1 to continue both of their partnerships into the 2026 season.

After a long wait, Formula 1 fans finally have the news about the driver lineup next season they've been waiting for. The 19 and 27 year old have had a good season; Russell P4 and Antonelli P7, 2 race wins, 2 pole positions and 9 podiums between them with the double in Canada. Although Antonelli had a miserable European stint, he has hit back and consecutively scored in the top 5 in the last 2 races earning and securing his spot on the team next season.

Russell, on the other hand, may feel he deserved more due to the only information released to the public that he is only continuing for 2026 and a lot of people may argue he has been with Max Verstappen for the best driver this season. It is known that Toto Wolff would love Verstappen in a Mercedes suit but also understands that he needs a driver for next season first because Verstappen is locked into Redbull.

It is understood that Wolff was under some amount of pressure from the hierarchy to get Mercedes back on top and that's why reports were coming out of £100 million to buy Verstappen out of his contract in the recent past but Russell showing his coolness and experience, has entrusted Wolff to take him on for another year so perhaps Russell had the upper hand in the contract talks but not for a longer term deal.

Regardless of the Verstappen talk still, Toto has expressed that "George and Kimi have proved a strong pairing and we're excited to continue our journey together" further adding that "our focus is now on the final six races of the year, as we fight for second in the constructers', and onwards to 2026 and a new era of F1" (Mercedes F1 on Instagram). 

Russell added "2026, let's do this, really proud to be continuing our journey together" and that he is "looking forward to next year with you mate (Kimi). 

Antonelli himself said on Instagram that he is "excited to keep this journey going with Mercedes and George" and left it of with a message to the team: "Thanks everyone at the factory for the support and faith".

"We wanted to take our time... and make sure everyone on all sides was happy, im pleased we have done that" Wolff finally added (F1 on Instagram)

Looking to next year reports have said that the Mercedes engine has been in the wind tunnel for a long time and the engine program is running well with rumours suggesting the combustion engine makes around 420kW (571 hp) , and many believe that Mercedes will be the team to beat. Compared to another report saying that Audi are actually doing well too but are still behind with more rumours suggesting that have surpassed the 400kW barrier (540 hp) which is more powerful than expected at the moment.

The Brackley team also introduced a new front wing to Singapore, which allowed the 'flexi wing' concept to somewhat return. A report said they made the top flap with new materials that allow the front wing to flex down under high speeds, reducing drag and increasing top speed on the straights while also decreasing oversteer on high speed corners too but then flexing back up on the brakes allowing more downforce and rotation through the slow speed corners, reducing understeer. This can be done while also passing the static load test introduced by the FIA with harsher restrictions in the Spain regulation change but Mercedes continued to work on this grey area after they lost their way a bit from the restrictions although the won in Canada but that's due to the track offering all of the same corner type that suited the Mercedes car whereas a range of corners on tracks which you need that flexi wing, made the balance harder to control.

George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes 2026. Is a title charge on for the previous 8x constructers champions?