Mercedes see one clear reason why Kimi Antonelli deserves a longer new contract than George Russell

Follow us on Google Discover

Mercedes are only four months away from George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli being out of contract, if the Silver Arrows do not agree to new deals for their drivers.

The Brackley crew control two of the final six seats available on the 2026 F1 grid, with Alpine and Red Bull holding the keys for the other drives still up for grabs. Cadillac have just signed Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez to spearhead the General Motors brand’s debut on the grid.

Most F1 teams are locked in for the long haul, but Mercedes have kept their options open in recent months as Russell and Antonelli are both on expiring contracts. Team boss Toto Wolff waited to learn if Max Verstappen could leave Red Bull through a release clause in his terms.

Wolff held talks with Verstappen about a move to Mercedes for the 2026 season. Yet once it became clear and Verstappen confirmed that “I’m staying” at Red Bull, as the release clause in his deal is not available, the Silver Arrows’ focus turned to retaining Russell and Antonelli.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli could get a longer contract than George Russell as Mercedes think he can ‘dominate’ F1

Wolff has stated that retaining Russell and Antonelli is Mercedes’ “priority” now, as well. But the clock continues to tick down on their current deals, despite Russell carrying Mercedes in the F1 constructors’ standings having scored 172 of their 236 points beside rookie Antonelli.

READ MORE: Mercedes driver George Russell’s life outside F1 from net worth to height

According to the Mirror, part of the problem is that Russell wants a long-term contract, while Wolff still hopes to keep Mercedes’ options open in case Verstappen wants to leave Red Bull next year. Verstappen’s release clause will be more easily available to him in one year’s time.

So, Mercedes are only tabling a one-year extension to Russell’s current £12m a year contract that includes bonuses, which can increase his wage to £18m. Antonelli’s rookie deal is worth only £1.5m a season, but the Italian might be in line for a pay rise by agreeing to new terms.

Wolff is more open to offering Antonelli a fresh long-term contract, as Mercedes will not risk the 19-year-old potentially leaving the team. The Silver Arrows are confident that the Italian has the talent to ‘dominate F1 in the future’, so they hope to tie him down for the long haul.

George Russell is carrying Mercedes during Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s rookie F1 season

Russell is carrying Mercedes during Antonelli’s rookie term, having stepped up to the task of leading the Brackley bunch following Lewis Hamilton’s defection to Ferrari. As well as taking 172 of their 236 points in the first 14 rounds, Russell sealed five of their six podiums in 2025.

READ MORE: Know all about 2025 Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli including stats

The 27-year-old even took their only pole position and Grand Prix win in the 2025 F1 season so far. Russell won the Canadian GP from pole in June for the Mercedes product’s fourth win and sixth pole since Wolff promoted the Briton to replace Valtteri Bottas for the 2022 term.

Antonelli took his first F1 Grand Prix podium in Canada, yet he earned just one other points-paying finish in the last eight races in Hungary (P10). Also, Antonelli crashed into Verstappen in Austria, but he was not at fault for DNFs in Imola (throttle), Spain (PU) and Britain (crash).

Yet Wolff is willing to risk Russell leaving Mercedes in the future should Verstappen become available. So, Mercedes are prepared to back Antonelli being a part of their long-term plans, more so than Russell, having funded his development since 2019 while still racing go-karts.