Mercedes has announced that George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will be the team's drivers in 2026, thus putting an end to speculation regarding a possible arrival of Max Verstappen.

The Mercedes team has confirmed that George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will continue as drivers in 2026, marking the beginning of a new era in Formula 1. The announcement was anticipated, with team principal Toto Wolff expressing his intentions long before, despite rumors about Max Verstappen persisting.

Wolff emphasized that the confirmation of the drivers was a matter of time and wanted to ensure that all parties involved are satisfied. Russell, who has won five races, will begin his fifth season with Mercedes and stated that he is proud of the continued collaboration. The details of the contract have not been disclosed, and speculation regarding Mercedes' interest in Verstappen in 2027 remains open.