15/10/2025 15:30
Toto Wolff has asserted that ensuring all parties were content with
the terms of its drivers' contracts resulted in a delay of the
extension announcement. Mercedes confirmed on Wednesday that George
Russell and Kimi Antonelli will stay at the team next year. The
declaration follows months of speculation surrounding the line-up,
particularly on Russell's side, whose position was under question
as Mercedes flirted with bringing Max Verstappen on board. However,
when it became apparent late-summer that Verstappen would remain at
Red Bull, it seemed a formality that Russell and Antonelli would
not be displaced for 2026. Having finally agreed terms, Wolff
declared the team's line-up was never in doubt. "Confirming our
driver line-up was always just a matter of when, not if," he said.
"We wanted to take our time, handle the negotiations properly and
make sure everyone, on all sides, was happy. "I'm pleased we have
done that." Russell has won two grands prix this year, while
Antonelli bagged his maiden F1 podium in Canada earlier this
season. Wolff outlined the squad's end-of-season goal is to hold
onto second place in the constructors' championship as it builds
towards the sport's regulation change next season. "George and Kimi
have proved a strong pairing and we're excited to continue our
journey together," Wolff added. "Our focus is now on the final six
races of the year, as we fight for second in the Constructors', and
onwards to 2026 and a new era in F1."
