George Russell Remains with Mercedes for Next Season: Could a Verstappen Deal Still Happen?

George Russell will continue with Mercedes next season. The Formula One team just confirmed that both he and his teammate, Kimi Antonelli, are sticking around for 2026. However, the exact length of their contracts hasn’t been shared, possibly leaving the door open for Mercedes to chase after Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in 2027.

This decision comes after long talks with Russell. Mercedes is looking for some stability as they face major rule changes in 2026. Russell, at 27, has had five wins in his eight seasons and recently helped the team compete for second place in the championship against Ferrari and Red Bull.

Russell shared his excitement about the future, noting that next year marks a decade since he joined Mercedes’ junior program. “I’m eager to see what lies ahead,” he said, especially with such significant regulatory shifts on the horizon.

Interestingly, part of the negotiation involved Russell wanting to cut back on his marketing commitments. Team principal Toto Wolff has also hinted at the hope of bringing Verstappen over from Red Bull, but Verstappen recently reaffirmed his commitment to his current team.

Mercedes’s announcement before the United States Grand Prix did not specify the contract lengths. Normally, drivers sign for two years, but they could have 1+1 contracts, which allow for an opt-out after just one year.

With the upcoming rules changes, there’s a chance that Mercedes’s performance could shift dramatically. If the new car proves competitive, it could reignite interest from Verstappen, making a future switch more appealing.

Kimi Antonelli, just 19, has had a challenging first year in F1 but made history by becoming the third-youngest driver to secure a podium finish. Currently, he sits in seventh place in the drivers’ championship, the highest among this season’s rookies.

Wolff expressed confidence in both drivers, stating, “Confirming our driver lineup was always just a matter of timing. We wanted to ensure everyone was happy with the outcome.”

As the sport evolves, it will be interesting to see how this lineup performs under the new rules and what implications it might have on future seasons. For more insights, you can check reports from The Guardian.

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