After months of negotiations and rumors, Toto Wolff finally shared a confirmation on the future of George Russell in Mercedes. Addressing the media during the Dutch general practitioner, the boss of Mercedes confirmed that Russell and Kimi Antonelli would run for Arrows Silver in 2026.
According to a recent autosport report, Wolff has confirmed that Russell and Antonelli will continue to be the pair of Mercedes pilots in 2026.
The situation concerning Russell was quite confusing and tense while the British driver was a few days to receive his contract extension during the British GP, his home race. However, the Briton not only received his contract renewal, but also rumors about Wolff’s interest in Max Verstappen surfaced.
Neither Wolff nor Verstappen denied having had a conversation, but they did not clarify whether the discussions concerned the Dutch decision in Brackley in the near future. The Red Bull driver was already unhappy with the performance of his team and was ready to trigger the exit clause.
However, Verstappen decided to stay in Red Bull in 2026, which left Wolff without choice only to remain faithful to George Russell. In a word, Mercedes will keep the pair of this season for the coming season, under new regulations.
Russell arrived in Mercedes de Williams in 2022 and replaced Valtteri Bottas. He ran alongside Lewis Hamilton for three seasons and dominated him twice. After Hamilton’s departure for Ferrari, Russell became the team’s main driver of the team.
George Russell confident about his future with Mercedes
George Russell shared his reflections on his future with Mercedes and said that he had nothing to fear. Speaking about it to the media, here is what driver # 63 said:
“No, not at all, to be honest. It was more a question of knowing who was going to be my teammate. I think I am quite rational in the way this sport works, and the team had the impression that they did not need to sign an agreement. I did not really think I had to push it so much when it came to a certain point. I think in me more.”
“I have always believed in me, and my results have always shown it. It is not only the form of this year, but throughout my career since the age of 10 years. So, yes, if you support yourself and if you play, you will never have anything to worry,” added the Mercedes pilot.
George Russell is currently in P4 in the driver’s ranking with 184 points. His teammate, Kimi Antonelli, is in P7 with 64 points after 15 races and three sprints. Mercedes is in P3 in the manufacturers’ championship with 248 points.
Published by Sabyasachachi Biswas
