Toto Wolff had an agreement to loan out Kimi Antonelli to struggling team if he signed Max Verstappen

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Mercedes’ driver plans seem to be finalised for the 2026 Formula 1 season after months of rumours about their line-up.

Both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will remain in their positions with the Silver Arrows, who have opted for continuity at this time. Usually a powerhouse at the start of new regulations, the team are expected to compete for the constructors’ and drivers’ championships next year.

Mercedes have had to suffer following some poor car development decisions over the last few years, but there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel. The 2026 F1 regulations offer them an opportunity to get back to where they have been, and seriously threaten their rivals once more.

Russell is helping to raise Mercedes and elevate parts of the team that need improvement. He has been one of the top performers this year and deserved his recently signed extension. Russell has changed at Mercedes since signing a new deal, according to Karun Chandhok, and it may be for the better.

READ MORE: George Russell warns Max Verstappen he’d face ‘a lose-lose situation’ if they became Mercedes teammates

Toto Wolff agreed two-year Alpine loan for Kimi Antonelli if he signed Max Verstappen

Charles Leclerc could replace Antonelli at Mercedes, according to paddock ‘rumours’ from a few weeks ago. The Monegasque driver may be growing fed up with his team’s lack of ability to produce a title-winning car, as he enters his eighth season with them.

Pursuing Verstappen was destabilising for Russell, and team boss Toto Wolff could have done a better job of protecting him from being affected by suggestions that he could be replaced in the future. Even now, his position feels a little insecure after signing a one-year deal.

On the positive side of things, the Brackley-based outfit have been tipped to burst out of the blocks with a strong engine next year. It makes them a promising shout for both titles, and may finally hand Russell a deserved chance to go head-to-head with the likes of Verstappen and Leclerc.

But it could have been a very different outcome for Antonelli, according to AS Web, who report that the Italian was set to be loaned to Alpine on a two-year deal if his team had found a way to sign Verstappen for 2026.

Wolff called Antonelli’s Alpine rumours nonsense, but it seems like a move might have been close to happening. Moving from a front-running car to the midfield might have helped to take some of the pressure away from the young Italian’s shoulders.

Presumably, the situation would have then forced Franco Colapinto off the grid, but left Red Bull in a very vulnerable and exposed position. Perhaps Arvid Lindblad would have been promoted straight into their setup?

READ MORE: George Russell had a ‘good idea’ about which Mercedes driver Toto Wolff wanted next to Max Verstappen

Does Kimi Antonelli deserve a Formula 1 demotion after the 2025 season?

At one stage this year, Antonelli scored points just once in seven races, which obviously doesn’t meet the standard expected of a factory Mercedes driver.

But since leaving Europe, his form has picked up a little bit, and he’s contending for the top six at most events.

That’s an encouraging sign and suggests that he’s building some momentum and confidence heading into 2026.

Next year’s cars will be new beasts that demand new driving styles. If Antonelli can adapt quickly, he could be a dark horse candidate for the title.