George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have committed their futures to Mercedes. The two drivers will be with their current team into at least the 2026 season.

The future of both drivers with the team was cast into uncertainty earlier this year due to Mercedes‘ efforts to poach reigning world champion Max Verstappen from Red Bull.

Verstappen’s announcement in late July that he would remain with Red Bull until at least the end of 2026 seemed to solidify the notion that Mercedes‘ line-up would stay the same. However, it took several months of negotiations for the contracts to be finalised.

And now an announcement has been made with team principal Toto Wolff admitting it was a formality.

“Confirming our driver line-up was always just a matter of when, not if,” Wolff said.

“We wanted to take our time, handle the negotiations properly and make sure everyone, on all sides, was happy. I’m pleased we have done that.

“George and Kimi have proved a strong pairing and we’re excited to continue our journey together. Our focus is now on the final six races of the year, as we fight for second in the Constructors’, and onwards to 2026 and a new era in F1.”

Russell has been with the Silver Arrows for his whole career, and the Express understands that the English star has agreed a multi-year deal to stay with the team. Antonelli’s situation, meanwhile, is harder to define as Mercedes have more options over his future – though they continue to see him as a star of the coming years.

Russell has shared his delight at continuing with Mercedes for at least one more season. “I am really proud to be continuing our journey together,” he said.

“Next year will mark my 10th since I signed with Mercedes back in 2017. It has been such a long and successful partnership with the team so far and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead, particularly as we embark on one of the largest regulation changes in the sport’s history next year.

“We are all incredibly focused on making that a success and, for me personally, building on what has been my strongest season in F1 to date.”