Toto Wolff, the Mercedes CEO and Team Principal, has finally revealed the reasons behind the protracted contract negotiations for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, confirming that both drivers will remain with the team for the 2026 season.
It's official 😉
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) October 15, 2025
We are delighted to confirm that George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will continue as the team’s driver line-up into 2026
The announcement follows months of intense speculation, which Wolff said was simply down to ensuring meticulous detail, rather than any genuine doubt.
“Confirming our driver line-up was always just a matter of when, not if,” Wolff stated.
“We wanted to take our time, handle the negotiations properly and make sure everyone, on all sides, was happy.”
While the Austrian insists the delay was a normal procedure, a deeper look reveals three key factors that kept the driver market guessing.
The two real sticking points in negotiations
While Wolff emphasised team harmony, the negotiations were reportedly complex, driven by external threats and Russell's specific demands.
The Max Verstappen Factor
The biggest delay was undoubtedly Max Verstappen's potential availability.
Wolff made no secret of his desire to lure the four-time World Champion away from Red Bull, particularly for 2027.
This put Russell in a "tough spot" as Mercedes was reluctant to lock both seats down to long-term deals, preferring a shorter-term contract to maintain flexibility for a possible Verstappen swoop when the regulations change in 2026.
George Russell’s PR Demands
Reports suggest that a major sticking point was Russell's desire to reduce his significant off-track workload.
Russell reportedly sought to limit the number of marketing and PR commitments in his new contract, arguing that the heavy schedule was impacting his performance.
As Russell himself noted earlier this year, "Talking doesn't make me faster; it takes energy."
Stability secured for the 2026 regulations
Despite the drama, the decision to retain Russell and Antonelli provides Mercedes with stability heading into the radical 2026 regulation changes.
Russell, who has claimed two Grand Prix victories this year, has demonstrated he is a race winner and a capable leader.
Rookie Antonelli has also proven his potential, scoring his maiden F1 podium earlier this season.
The short-term nature of the deals is likely intentional, as Mercedes will be looking to remain agile for the 2027 driver market, when the competitive order will be clearer, and the pursuit of Verstappen will likely resume.
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