P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes still haven’t confirmed their driver plans for F1 2026, but what is behind the ongoing delay?
As we head into the F1 summer break, Mercedes has not yet confirmed their driver line-up for the next season. Talks with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have been ongoing but no final decisions have been made. Speculation arose when Russell hinted at delays due to Mercedes exploring Max Verstappen as a potential option. Verstappen ended the uncertainty by confirming he will stay with Red Bull in 2026. This effectively means Russell and Antonelli will likely remain at Mercedes next year, pending an official announcement. Mercedes is expected to confirm Russell and Antonelli as their drivers for the next season now that Verstappen is off the table. Despite no fixed timeline, Mercedes remain confident in continuing with their current drivers and Russell may be in a stronger negotiating position after his impressive performances this season.
