Overview

• Mercedes officially named George Russell and Kimi Antonelli as its 2026 drivers in a team announcement issued four days before the United States Grand Prix.
• The press release specified commitments only through the end of 2026, and Mercedes did not disclose any terms covering 2027.
• Auto Motor und Sport reported that Russell’s new agreement may span multiple years, though Mercedes has not confirmed those details.
• Talks took longer than expected, with reporting indicating the number of marketing appearances and the contract length were key sticking points.
• With a major technical reset coming in 2026, analysts expect teams and drivers to keep options open for 2027, and media rumors continue to link potential Red Bull exit clauses for Max Verstappen after 2026 to wider driver-market uncertainty.