As the 2025 season winds towards its climax, the team faces one of the most delicate contract situations on the grid. Both George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli are out of contract at the end of 2025. The decisions Toto Wolff and his team make in the coming weeks will not only shape the 2026 driver lineup, but potentially the entire trajectory of Mercedes’ post-Hamilton era.
Russel’s Resurgence: A Statement win in Singapore
Russell’s win in Singapore couldn’t have come at a better time, achieving his second win of the season and drawing high praise from Toto Wolff, who called it ‘a race that shows George has truly come of age as a team leader.’
This victory also silenced critics who questioned whether George could lead Mercedes after the departure of 7-time World Driver’s Champion, Lewis Hamilton. Russell has reasserted himself as a cornerstone in Mercedes’ rebuilding phase, and crucially, given himself powerful leverage in the ongoing contract talks.
The Demands of George Russell
It has been noted that George’s team has been negotiating hard for a multi-year extension through 2028/29, a salary increase to put him on par with peers like Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc and intriguingly, a performance clause tied to his results relative to Antonelli. His requests could be seen as bold, as it underlines Russell’s confidence and ambition. But it also poses a risk: too much contractual power could tilt the internal balance against his young teammate before a new era even begins.
Still, Russell’s argument is persuasive. With two wins, consistent podiums, and a growing leadership role, he’s earned the right to call himself ‘Mercedes’ anchor driver.’ The question for Toto Wolff isn’t whether to keep Russell, it’s how much to give him what he wants without stifling Antonelli’s rise.
Kimi Antonelli and His Future.
On the other side of the garage stands Kimi Antonelli, the 19-year-old Italian prodigy who many see as the future of Mercedes. His promotion to the senior team was bold, only doing a year each in Formula 3 and Formula 2. The paddock buzzed with speculation about whether he would be loaned to another team to gain experiences after a series of accidents which made people question his abilities in F1, but Toto Wolff shut that down quickly: ‘Kimi is part of our project. He’s staying with us, no discussion.’
Kimi’s performance as a rookie this year has been going well as he adapts to the demands of F1. The challenge for Mercedes is clear: nurture Antonelli’s development without overshadowing him with a contract that cements Russell as the uncontested team leader.
Due to all the comparison to Verstappen or Schumacher, Antonelli has faced media criticism as he allegedly hasn’t showed people that he is capable of being the next best thing. This raises the question whether Russell should be given his demands due to Kimi’s inexperience or if Toto Wolff should give them a more fair contract for both drivers. No driver thrives in a garage where their path upward is blocked, and Mercedes’ future success may depend on ensuring Antonelli feels he has equal footing and a real chance to grow.
What it means for Mercedes and Formula 1
The consensus in the paddock is that both drivers will stay for 2026. But the terms of those contracts will determine whether Mercedes enjoys a harmonious internal rivalry or finds itself trapped in civil war. The 2026 regulations, with their new engine and aerodynamic rules, promise a reset for Formula 1. Mercedes wants to hit that reset button with unity, not turmoil.
On the other hand, if they become too lenient, they might have a situation like McLaren on their hands, where they present themselves as unbiased towards the drivers but sometimes show favour to the ‘team leader.’ Which is why managing both ambitions under one roof will test Mercedes’ leadership as much as its engineering.
sumaya on the grid⋆.𐙚 ̊ 
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