Wolff confirms Russell and Antonelli to lead Mercedes into 2026

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has confirmed that George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli will remain the Silver Arrows’ driver pairing for the 2026 Formula 1 season, ending speculation about potential moves in the market.

Wolff’s announcement, while not yet formalized with signatures, signals continuity for the Brackley squad Arrows as they build toward a competitive future.

The decision to retain Russell and Antonelli comes after months of speculation surrounding Mercedes’ driver plans, particularly with interest in four-time world champion Max Verstappen.

However, Verstappen’s own confirmation before the summer break that he would remain with Red Bull for 2026 paved the way for Mercedes to double down on their current pairing.

“We’re continuing with both of them”

Speaking to reporters after Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix, Wolff made it clear that the team’s faith in Russell and Antonelli remains unwavering.

“I always say there's not going to be any big news because we're doing this. We're continuing with both of them, of course,” Wolff said.

The Austrian outlined that discussions with Russell are focused on refining commitments outside the cockpit.

“With George there's a few things where we want to optimise some of the travelling and the marketing days, how many hours we're putting in. He's an experienced driver and for us it's always important to talk about it,” he added.

“We want to have the best performance of the drivers and I think we've given both of them quite a strain with marketing activities and media activities and this is how we're recalibrating.”

Wolff ruled out any immediate fanfare around the contract extension.

“Is there going to be an announcement in Monza? No,” he said. “But I don't think it's going to be even a big announcement. It's just going to give you the heads up and say we've put a signature on the agreement.”

Backing Antonelli Through Rookie Rollercoaster

Antonelli's weekend at Zandvoort encapsulated the highs and lows of his debut season, as the 18-year-old Italian tangled with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in a collision and racked up penalties that plummeted him from a potential sixth-place finish to 16th.

Despite the setbacks, Wolff remains steadfast in his support, framing the incidents as valuable lessons in a season dedicated to development rather than immediate results.

"When we gave him the opportunity, it was also saying that we would give him a year of learning, and there would be moments where we'd tear our hair out, and there would be other moments of brilliance,” Wolff explained.

“I think this weekend pretty much sums that up.

"The mistake in FP1, clearly something that puts you on the back foot for the rest of the weekend, and then in the race, these moments of great driving.

"Once he was in free air, he was behind the McLaren the quickest car, caught up, and then again was involved in that accident that unfortunately meant the end for Charles' race.

• Read also: Antonelli takes blame for Leclerc clash: ‘I went for it… too much’

"But we want him to go for the moves, obviously. So up and downs, and that was absolutely expected from this season and every one of those days is going to be a learning for next year.

"We're not fighting for a constructor championship. Of course it's P2 and P3 [in the standings] that is at stake, but this has less relevance than next year when it's important to score the points.

"You always wish that the learning has less humps and bumps than it has today because the swings are enormous but it's there. It just needs to be unpeeled like an artichoke where at the end there is the gold. It's there and we have no doubt.

“My 100% belief is in him in the long term and that is just part of the learning.”

With Max Verstappen opting to stay at Red Bull through the sport’s next regulatory cycle, Mercedes’ decision to stick with Russell and Antonelli was inevitable.

Wolff’s words signal a commitment not just to continuity, but to nurturing the next generation in a season of transition before the new engine rules take effect in 2026.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook