Kimi Antonelli has offered an update on his contract situation with Mercedes as speculation continues about Max Verstappen potentially joining the team in 2026. Both Antonelli and his teammate George Russell are approaching the end of their current contracts, with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff aiming to secure the team’s long-term lineup.
This contract update involving Kimi Antonelli Mercedes contract update comes at a crucial point since Mercedes has yet to confirm any driver line-up for the 2026 Formula 1 season, along with Racing Bulls and the newly announced Cadillac team.
Antonelli Remains Firm in Commitment Despite Contract Ambiguity
Currently, Mercedes holds third place in the Constructors’ Championship, benefited by strong performances from both Russell and Antonelli, who have accumulated 147 and 63 points respectively. Russell has claimed his first race victory of the season in Canada, where Antonelli also marked his F1 debut season with a podium finish.
Antonelli, a young Italian driver promoted from the Mercedes junior program to replace Lewis Hamilton, enters the second half of the year with his contract nearing expiration but without a confirmed extension. This situation is further complicated by ongoing rumors linking Verstappen to the team for the next season. Meanwhile, Russell maintains confidence in his performance securing his spot at Mercedes.
Addressing his current contract talks, Antonelli remarked,
“Obviously, there’s a lot going on, but I’m sure that the team is doing their best to provide the best for the future,”
reflecting his focus amid uncertainty.
He added,
“They’re not looking only for next year, but they’re looking as well for the future. So obviously there’s a lot going on, but a lot of talks, but my goal is just to try and do my best, no matter what.”
While Antonelli’s first podium came in Canada, his season has been marred by four retirements over six races. These setbacks included collisions, such as being compromised by Isack Hadjar in wet Silverstone conditions, a self-inflicted error in Austria, and mechanical failures in Spain and Emilia Romagna.
These interruptions paint an incomplete picture of Antonelli’s capabilities, especially when compared to Russell, who has been classified in every race and finished in the points in 11 out of 12 events this year.
Insights into Mercedes’ Driver Line-Up Dynamics
Amid swirling rumors about Verstappen’s future, George Russell has spoken candidly about his position at Mercedes. Commenting during the British Grand Prix, Russell said,
“There’s a lot of conversations behind the scenes that are not public, and I know where their loyalty lies, and it doesn’t need to be public,”
emphasizing the discreet nature of contract discussions. He continued,
“But in all honesty, it doesn’t really change anything my side, because, as I’ve said before, I feel I’m performing better than ever. And it’s as simple as that really, performance speaks for everything.”
Antonelli has expressed a similar confidence, indicating no current negotiations with other teams and showing trust in Mercedes’ plans for his role. He stated,
“I got this opportunity from Mercedes and there’s no talks with anyone else going on,”
and added,
“I’m very happy where I am, and I’m also quite sure with the team and also what they want from me.”
He further explained,
“I need to just do my best, minimise all the mistakes and then try to deliver the best job possible. I know the team has a lot of trust in me, and so I’m not really worried.”
Max Verstappen’s Possible Move and Its Effect on Mercedes’ Line-Up
The speculation surrounding Verstappen’s potential transfer to Mercedes continues to be a significant factor in current driver negotiations. Toto Wolff and Verstappen have reportedly held discussions, and Verstappen has yet to confirm that he will stay with Red Bull beyond this season.
Verstappen’s contract includes a performance clause allowing him to leave if he ranks lower than fourth in the Drivers’ Championship after the Hungarian Grand Prix. At present, he has amassed 165 points, maintaining a comfortable lead over fifth-placed Charles Leclerc, who has 119 points.
Although it seems unlikely Verstappen’s contract clause will be triggered, persistent rumors imply the 27-year-old may consider a switch. Such uncertainty is believed to have influenced the removal of Christian Horner as Red Bull’s team principal.
Despite the speculation, Verstappen continues his commitments with Red Bull, recently attending a scheduled simulator session at the team’s Milton Keynes factory following Laurent Mekies’ appointment as Red Bull’s new CEO.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
With Antonelli and Russell both unsigned while rumors swirl about Verstappen, Mercedes faces a critical decision on its driver lineup for 2026. Antonelli’s expression of confidence in the team, despite the doubts, underlines his desire to prove himself over the remainder of this season.
The outcome of these ongoing negotiations will shape Mercedes’ competitiveness and team dynamics moving forward, especially as the new Cadillac entry and Racing Bulls also work on their driver selections.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Kimi Antonelli skip F3?
A. Antonelli didn’t compete in F3 and moved directly to F2 in 2024. He had become the champion in Formula Regional Europe and Formula Regional Middle East the previous year.
Q. How did Kimi Antonelli crash?
A. Kimi Antonelli received a three-place grid penalty for the upcoming British Grand Prix. He caused a crash with Max Verstappen in Austria. The 18-year-old Mercedes newcomer hit Verstappen’s Red Bull when his brakes locked at the third corner of Sunday’s first lap.
Q. How old was Kimi Antonelli in F4?
A. Just three weeks after his 15th birthday, Antonelli began competing in junior formula racing. He joined the fifth round of the 2021 Italian F4 Championship for Prema at the Red Bull Ring.
Q. Why did Kimi Antonelli crash?
A. Antonelli shared that he didn’t brake too late. However, he braked hard and that caused the rear wheels to lock. Because of that, he couldn’t turn the car and was going too fast. As a result, crashing became unavoidable.
