Wolff, the team head, is disclosing secrets or revelations.
Mercedes Confirms Driver Lineup for 2026 Season
After a tumultuous Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has provided clarity on the team's driver lineup for the 2026 season. The confirmed and prioritized drivers for Mercedes are George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
Rumors of George Russell joining other teams, such as Red Bull, Aston Martin, and Alpine, if Max Verstappen were to join Mercedes, have been put to rest. Wolff has dismissed these rumors, especially following the departure of Red Bull's Christian Horner, which ended Verstappen's possible move to Mercedes.
Both Russell and Antonelli are out of contract at the end of 2025, but Wolff has expressed full confidence in both drivers and his intention to extend their tenure with Mercedes. The team values the development of Antonelli within the team, despite his struggles in early 2025. However, Russell has secured his place with consistent performances this season.
Antonelli, a promising young driver aged 18, has faced challenges in early 2025 but showed signs of improvement, which helped reinforce Mercedes’ decision to keep him alongside Russell. Wolff has indicated there is no urgent timeline for a formal announcement, though Mercedes plan to finalize the lineup over the summer break following the Hungarian GP.
Mercedes has high hopes that rookie Kimi Antonelli will one day count among the greats. Despite his current struggles, the team believes in his potential and is committed to his development. Russell, on the other hand, has proven himself as a reliable team member, finishing third in the Hungarian GP for Mercedes.
In summary, Mercedes’ current and future driver lineup, confirmed by Toto Wolff, is George Russell and Kimi Antonelli continuing through at least the 2026 season. The team is optimistic about the future with these two drivers, and fans can look forward to seeing them race together for many more seasons.
George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will continue their partnership in sports beyond the 2025 season, as they are confirmed to race for Mercedes in the 2026 season. Despite Antonelli's initial struggles, Mercedes is optimistic about his potential in racing, particularly considering his signs of improvement.
