Russell has been with Mercedes since 2022, and his contract was set to expire at the end of the current season. There had been uncertainty over his future, particularly as the team explored the possibility of signing Max Verstappen. Many expected Russell might leave if Verstappen joined, but those plans cooled around the Belgian Grand Prix, allowing Russell to remain with Mercedes.

Russell reportedly turned down several offers earlier in the year as he negotiated better personal terms. With the new agreement now in place, he will continue alongside Antonelli. The young Italian driver has had a mixed but promising rookie season. He achieved a sprint pole in Miami and earned his first F1 podium in Canada, though he also faced some difficult races. Antonelli has been part of the Mercedes junior program for several years and joined the main team this season, replacing Lewis Hamilton, who moved to Ferrari.

Russell expressed his excitement about continuing with the team, saying: “I am really proud to be continuing our journey together. 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.”

Antonelli also spoke about his first season and his goals for the future. “I’m super excited to be continuing with the team,” he said. “I’ve learnt so much in my first season in F1, both in the good moments and the more challenging ones. Those have all made me stronger, not only as a driver but as a team-mate too. I want to say thank you to Toto and everyone at Brackley and Brixworth for their continued support and faith in me. Our focus now is to finish this year strongly and secure second in the constructors’ championship, before we then turn our full attention to 2026. There’s plenty for us still to achieve in these final six races and we will be giving it our all.”

Team principal Toto Wolff welcomed the announcement, bringing a close to months of speculation. “Confirming our driver line-up was always just a matter of when, not if,” he 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.”