Oct 16, 2025
3 min read
George Russell has a new contest with mercedes, like the colors that certified as their for 2026.
Russell and Antonelli have been confirmed as Mercedes' 2026 line-up
George Russell has signed a new deal with Mercedes and the Silver Arrows have confirmed the Briton and Kimi Antonelli will feature in their 2026 squad.
George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will form the Mercedes Line 1 drive-up for the 2026 season, the team has announced.
The decision was made to stick with eight-time world champions Russell and Antonelli, products of the team's junior program and leading the Silver Arrows to second place in the team championship with six race weekends remaining.
Russell has been promoted to the staff in 2022 after three years with Williams.And since then it has won five Grand Prix victories, the last time in Singapore.
Next year will be his eighth in Formula 1 and his 10th for Mercedes, which joined the youth program in 2017.
Rookie Antonelli this year, which included podiums in Miami and Canada this year, is the youngest podium in F1 history, but ran hard behind the European leg of the season before two top-five finishes in Baku and Singapore.
On the eve of the United States Grand Prix weekend, Mercedes confirmed that both had stayed.
"Mercedes Matware supporting Toto Wolff is always our business."
"I'm pleased we have done that. George and Kimi have proved a strong pairing and we're excited to continue our journey together.
"Now our focus is on the last six races of the year where we fight for second in the Constructors, and on 2026 and a new era in F1."
Russell said: "I'm really proud to continue our journey together. Next year marks my 10th year since signing with Mercedes in 2017.
"It's been a long and successful partnership with the team so far and I can't wait to see what's to come, especially as we enter one of the biggest rule changes in the history of the sport next year.
“We are all incredibly focused on making it a success and, for me personally, building on what has been my strongest season in F1 yet.”
Antonoelli said: "I'm very happy to continue and build on my first season in F1, the good times and the highlights.
"Everything is very busy, it is not a man who is not manufactured but as a man. I would like to tell you to improve the support and trust in me."
“Our focus now is to finish this year strongly and secure second place in the Teams Championship before turning our full attention to 2026. There is still a lot to achieve for us in these last six races and we will do our best.”
That leaves just four places left in the 2026 rankings - one at Red Bull, two at Racing Bulls and one at Alpine.
Isaac Gudger is the leading contender to become Max Westappen's Maxer teammate at Red Bull, while F2 Racer Arvid Lindbad is the favorite for one of the race's captives.
This leaves Hiroki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson competing for the remaining seats in the Racing Bulls, with Tsunoda currently expected to have the advantage.
Franco Colapinto is favorite to retain his seat alongside Pierre Gasly at Alpine, but reserve Paul Aaron remains in the frame.
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