The wait for Mercedes to officially confirm George Russell and Kimi Antonelli as their drivers for the 2026 season is finally over.

The move has appeared inevitable and therefore been expected for several months, although the news has still already provoked plenty of debate and intrigue over what was said - and not said - by the team in their official announcement.

So what might it all mean heading into the future of the driver market as F1's new rules era looms large into view? We look at some of the key questions around the deal...

What did Mercedes announce?

Mercedes finally formally confirmed on Wednesday , on the eve of the United States Grand Prix weekend in Austin, that Russell and Antonelli would remain in tandem for a second successive season into 2026.

It will be Russell's

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