Team Mercedes' progress impeded by trust issues after the missing link incident, causing a crisis of confidence.
In the world of Formula 1, there has been a flurry of speculation regarding contract negotiations and potential team changes for the 2026 season. However, Toto Wolff, team principal of Mercedes, has confirmed that George Russell will indeed be staying with the team for the upcoming season, with a contract extension expected though not yet formally announced.
Russell, who is currently represented by Mercedes, has expressed feelings of helplessness in the contract negotiations due to the team's agreement. Despite previous speculation fueled by Russell's comments about Mercedes' discussions with Max Verstappen, Wolff has made it clear that Verstappen will remain at Red Bull for 2026 and beyond, which removes any realistic chance of him joining Mercedes next year.
George Russell and rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli are both expected to continue as Mercedes drivers into the new F1 rules era starting in 2026. Russell has been a consistent top performer for Mercedes since joining the junior programme in 2018 and stepping up to the race team in 2022, earning Wolff's trust as a team leader especially after Lewis Hamilton's departure.
Meanwhile, no reports from the current search results indicate any contract negotiation status for Kimi Antonelli, but Wolff's statements suggest Antonelli will also retain his seat for 2026. The drivers' contracts expire at the end of the season, and they have felt pressure due to the speculations about Verstappen.
Recently, Russell has lost sight of overall leader Oscar Piastri in the championship, following a series of struggles for Mercedes since Russell's victory in Canada in mid-June. In response, Toto Wolff called for an emergency meeting before the Formula 1 race in Hungary to discuss the team's recent decline in performance.
Despite the challenges, a long-term contract with Mercedes is interesting for Russell if the team can fight for the title after the major rule change next year. Russell and Antonelli were summoned for a debrief, and Russell has been considering what's best for both parties.
Elsewhere in the world of F1, Red Bull faces uncertainty with the departure of engine partner Honda and the dismissal of long-time team principal Christian Horner. This potential situation could reignite interest from Max Verstappen, who has been linked with a move to Mercedes in the past.
In Hamm, construction work on the A2 and Goethestraße is nearing completion, while new sculptures have been installed on the Halde Sachsen. Ferrari star Lewis Hamilton consoled Antonelli during a brief visit to the motorhome, offering words of encouragement as the young driver grapples with the pressures of competition.
Despite the ongoing contract negotiations and team changes, it seems that Mercedes is internally confident and committed to keeping George Russell and Kimi Antonelli for 2026, and Max Verstappen is confirmed to stay with Red Bull, ending transfer speculations involving Mercedes.
Sports speculations about potential team changes for the 2026 Formula 1 season have included George Russell and Max Verstappen. However, Toto Wolff has revealed that George Russell will stay with Mercedes and Kimi Antonelli will also retain his seat for 2026, ending any talk of Verstappen joining Mercedes next year.
