Mercedes confirms Russell and Antonelli for 2026 season

Mercedes has officially confirmed that George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli volition signifier the team's driving duo for the 2026 season, confirming the continuity of its strategy for the caller epoch of Formula 1. Russell becomes the team's main driver, portion giving young Antonelli the abstraction and enactment to develop. The determination intelligibly shows that Mercedes believes successful its ain strengths and wants to support stableness arsenic it prepares for large changes to the rules.

Russell arsenic squad leader

After Lewis Hamilton unexpectedly moved to Ferrari, the squad decided to absorption connected its people. George Russell present leads the team, portion young Antonelli accelerated the improvement programme successful bid to beryllium acceptable for Formula 1 arsenic soon arsenic possible. The 2025 play was challenging; Mercedes' W16 car showed unpredictable characteristics. 

Although they achieved 2 victories, astir of the weekends were average. Problems with the suspension upgrade further analyzable the situation, but the instrumentality to the aged setup brought stability.

Russell showed that the team's assurance was justified. His victories successful Canada and Singapore showed composure and maturity, arsenic squad brag Toto Wolff pointed out:

“This twelvemonth helium was outstanding. There were nary mistakes. Of course, determination were weekends erstwhile helium could person done more, but erstwhile everything comes unneurotic – a car successful cleanable information and a operator successful afloat signifier – past it becomes a winning combination, and we conscionable saw that.”

Russell himself said that helium feels wholly antithetic than helium did 2 years ago:

“Today I americium a wholly antithetic driver. Now I consciousness much assured and I cognize what to bash successful each situation. I americium acceptable to combat for the title.”

He besides pointed out:

“Before, I often pushed erstwhile I shouldn’t have. Now I americium much relaxed. If it rains an hr earlier the race, I conscionable say: ne'er mind, it’s the aforesaid for everyone.”

Antonelli and the challenges of Formula 1

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a 19-year-old Italian, had a hard debut season. His archetypal quality successful Formula 1 was past twelvemonth astatine Monza, wherever helium ended up successful the wall, but impressed with his speed. Problems continued successful Imola, but Antonelli aboriginal showed his endowment – ​​fifth spot successful Baku and Singapore, podium successful Montreal and sprint rod successful Miami. Race manager Andrew Shovlin said:

"He showed america capable astatine the commencement of the season. He has the endowment for F1 and driving for Mercedes."

Mercedes is present looking towards 2026. With Russell's acquisition and composure and Antonelli's talent, the squad is acceptable for a caller section successful Formula 1.