Mercedes confirmed they will retain their current driver line-up for the 2026 Formula 1 season as contract extensions for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli were announced.

Both drivers' futures with the team were thrown into doubt by Mercedes' attempts earlier this year to sign reigning world champion Max Verstappen from Red Bull.

Verstappen confirming in late July that he would stay with Red Bull until at least the end of 2026 appeared to make it a formality that Mercedes' line-up would remain unchanged, but it has taken several months of negotiations for the deals to be agreed.

Interestingly, Mercedes did not make specific mention in their announcement of contract length for Russell and Antonelli, simply saying the pair were confirmed for 2026.

It theoretically leaves the door open a

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