Overview

• The announcement ends months of uncertainty after the team explored Max Verstappen’s availability earlier in the year.
• Several outlets report Russell agreed a multi-year extension, though Mercedes officially confirmed only the 2026 pairing.
• Toto Wolff said finalizing the lineup was a matter of timing after prolonged talks that included PR and off-track commitments.
• Russell, a winner in Canada and Singapore, sits fourth in the championship; rookie Antonelli has a podium in Canada and is seventh.
• Mercedes says it is targeting second in the constructors’ standings over the final six races while ramping up for the 2026 regulations change.