P1racenews AI automatic summary:
It has been a year of ups and downs for Kimi Antonelli, but he will remain with Mercedes for 2026.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff emphasized the immense pressure faced by Kimi Antonelli in his debut F1 season. The team announced the retention of George Russell and Antonelli for the next year before the United States Grand Prix, marking Antonelli’s second season in F1. Wolff consistently reaffirmed the decision to keep both drivers, expressing confidence in Russell’s leadership and Antonelli’s growth potential. Despite Antonelli’s challenging year, Wolff never doubted his potential or regretted replacing Lewis Hamilton with him. Wolff cited Antonelli’s junior record and personality as factors that solidified his belief in the decision to give him the opportunity.
