Managing Mercedes as Max Verstappen decision reached and Kimi Antonelli new contract

Toto Wolff and Mercedes face critical decisions regarding their driver line-up for 2026, with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli's contracts expiring soon. Antonelli's impressive performances may lead punters to favor him over a potential Verstappen signing, impacting betting odds. With Russell also showcasing excellence, retaining both could be a smart decision for Mercedes, making them more competitive in the upcoming season.

Toto Wolff and the Mercedes team are facing some significant decisions regarding their driver line-up for the 2026 Formula 1 campaign. And with the contracts of both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli due to expire in December, decisions need to be made promptly.

Antonelli, 18, stepped into Lewis Hamilton 's shoes at the end of 2024 when he signed a one-year contract with the Silver Arrows. Russell's three-year deal is also set to conclude at the end of this season, leaving the team with little time to decide on their 2026 pairing.

Adding to the complexity is Max Verstappen , who has long been admired by team principal Wolff but is contracted to Red Bull until 2028. However, there are whispers he could leave his contract early, presenting Mercedes with a dilemma over whether they should help facilitate this departure.

After years of dominance in F1, Mercedes is now facing the prospect of a fifth consecutive year without a title. And Express Sport has attempted to determine the most strategically sound driver combination ahead of the 2026 campaign. This seems to be the simplest decision of all.

Despite the immediate need for results, Antonelli appears too promising a talent to let go, not to mention his relatively low impact on the wage bill compared to his peers. The youngster has adjusted well to the rigours of F1, and apart from a few retirements for which he can hardly be blamed, he has largely exceeded expectations in his senior debut.

Montreal proved to be a splendid weekend for Mercedes as Antonelli secured third alongside Russell's victory, making him the third-youngest podium finisher in F1 history. This comes after the Italian already became the second-youngest points-scorer in F1 and the youngest to both lead a race and set a fastest lap (at Suzuka).

So while he may currently sit seventh in the standings, Antonelli has given plenty of reasons to believe his ranking could soar over time. In short, letting go of Antonelli now in favour of a more experienced name seems like a decision Mercedes would inevitably regret in the future.

And while he may not be ready to lead the team to silverware immediately, there are signs this time may not be too far away. Considering Mercedes has been battling with an inferior car in recent years, Russell has been a consummate professional throughout. And it would reflect poorly on the team if their response to such loyalty was to dismiss their current No. 1.

Russell's stellar performances this season have not gone unnoticed, with the Mercedes ace securing as many podiums as Max Verstappen (five) and now trailing his rival by just one in wins, notably proving his mettle as a frontrunner for the team. Mercedes boss Wolff praised Russell's breakthrough at the Canadian Grand Prix over the weekend. After clinching pole position on the grid, Russell's impressive drive sealed victory on Sunday, providing the Silver Arrows with more reason to secure his services with a new deal. "He's giving us all the reasons to do that quickly," said Wolff after qualifying. "We know what he's capable of doing and he has been leading this team now since a while. He has the pace and the right attitude. He's been a Mercedes junior [for] such a long time, and we are on track in doing what we've always planned."

Moreover, F1's inherent focus on cost efficiency plays into Russell's favour. He's currently something of a bargain compared to Verstappen, with a reported salary of £15million, which pales against Verstappen's current £40m annual salary. With the primary battleground being in the development of a competitive car, the hefty sum saved on driver expenses might tip the scales in future technical advancements. This pragmatism could be key as Mercedes strive to reclaim their place atop the F1 perch.

Pursuing Verstappen continues to be a laborious option for Mercedes, given the Dutchman still has three years remaining on his contract with Red Bull. And the Silver Arrows not only face paying his gargantuan salary but would also have to recompense Red Bull to prematurely end his current agreement. In addition, Mercedes would likely need to substantially increase his pay to overshadow interest reportedly coming from Aston Martin. It's previously been suggested that a groundbreaking sum in the hundreds of millions may be necessary to entice the four-time world champion.

Yet splashing such cash is risky for Mercedes, considering a title is far from guaranteed, even with Verstappen donning their colours. The potential upheaval extends beyond finances, too, given his contentious history with Hamilton and Russell, as well as touching the nerves of Mercedes' fanbase in the past.

Wolff has often been verbal in his admiration of Verstappen and confessed in March 2024 that he'd "love" to see him join. At the time, he added: "This is a decision that Max needs to take, and there is no team up and down the grid that wouldn't do handstands to have him in the car."

Alas, if acrobatics could seal deals, Verstappen would already be at Mercedes' beck and call. However, they might find more value in nurturing Russell, whose performance this season is only marginally less impressive than Verstappen's, and in a car many regard as inferior. There's also the significant risk Mercedes runs by pouring resources into a star who may have already reached his zenith and lost his thirst for the sport.

Verstappen has hinted at an early retirement on several occasions, which is seldom a positive indicator for maintaining success. His vexations have been evident throughout 2025 as he has consistently lagged behind the superior McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Mercedes might foresee more of the same, with the only difference being that they would be the ones picking up the tab.

Kimi Antonelli and George Russell's contracts expire at the end of the year, as Mercedes faces a period of huge change.

Express