“It was just a question of when”
Driver duo perfect: Mercedes confirms plan for 2026
October 15, 2025 – 4:38 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The German racing team announces who will be in the two Silver Arrows next year – thereby confirming what was already suspected.
Shortly before the start of the US Grand Prix, Mercedes made its driver line-up for the coming season official. As expected, the racing team continues to rely on George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
Team boss and co-owner Toto Wolff said in a statement: “The confirmation of our driver pairing was always just a question of when, not if.” During the race weekend in Singapore, which Russell won, the Austrian announced that the duo would also compete together in 2026. Now Wolff said that they had consciously taken time to conduct the negotiations properly and to satisfy everyone involved. The announcement comes immediately before the so-called triple header with the races in Austin, Mexico City and São Paulo.
Both drivers come from our own junior program. Russell has been driving for the Silver Arrows since the 2022 season and has celebrated all five Grand Prix victories with the team so far.
The 19-year-old Italian Antonelli replaced record world champion Lewis Hamilton this season, who had moved to Ferrari. He was on the podium for the first time in the Canadian race, coming third.
“It’s been a long and successful partnership with the team so far and I’m excited about what lies ahead – especially as one of the biggest rule changes in the history of the sport awaits us next year,” said Russell, looking ahead to the coming season. “In my first season in F1, I learned a lot in both good and difficult moments. All of this made me stronger not only as a driver but also as a teammate,” emphasized Antonelli.