Toto Wolff has firmly dismissed rumors that Kimi Antonelli will be transferring to Williams or Alpine for the 2026 Formula 1 season, affirming that Antonelli will remain with Mercedes. The confirmation comes amid ongoing uncertainty about the team’s driver roster for next year as contracts near expiration.
Currently, both Kimi Antonelli and George Russell hold Mercedes contracts that end after the 2025 season. Despite anticipation around contract renewals, Mercedes has yet to officially announce its lineup for 2026. While Wolff has expressed clear intentions to keep both drivers, formal agreements have not yet been finalized.
The 19-year-old Antonelli experienced a challenging rookie year, marked by inconsistency and multiple mistakes. Though he secured a podium in Montreal in June, Antonelli has struggled to maintain steady point-scoring performances, having finished within the top ten on only three occasions since then.
One of Antonelli’s brighter moments came at the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he out-qualified teammate George Russell for just the second time during the season. Antonelli ultimately claimed fourth place in the race, narrowly behind Russell after the pit stops.
Mercedes Affirms Antonelli’s Continued Role
Antonelli’s uneven form throughout the season has sparked speculation about his future with Mercedes. Talk circulated about a possible driver swap involving Williams, which would have seen Antonelli join their team alongside Alex Albon. This scenario was thought to potentially open a spot for Carlos Sainz at a leading team.
Another possibility floated was a move to Alpine, where team principal Flavio Briatore appears to be deciding between drivers Franco Colapinto and Jack Doohan for 2026. However, Wolff addressed these rumors directly in a discussion with Sky Italia.
The Alpine and Williams speculations are completely nonsense,
Wolff said.
He will stay here in 2026 100%.
George Russell’s Contract Situation Remains Unsettled
While Antonelli’s performance has drawn questions, George Russell’s skill and consistency this season have been widely praised. As one of the standout drivers on the grid, Russell’s value to Mercedes is clear. Nevertheless, he is expected to seek a longer-term contract to secure his future with the team.
Mercedes considered the possibility of acquiring Max Verstappen, which could explain why they might favor offering Russell a shorter deal to maintain flexibility. This approach suggests Mercedes is keeping their options open in a competitive driver market.
With Mercedes yet to finalize its driver lineup, the confirmation of Antonelli’s position signals some stability but also highlights the unresolved nature of contracts ahead of the 2026 season, leaving fans and observers waiting for further announcements.
