Follow usMercedes team boss Toto Wolff has dismissed the idea of loaning Andrea Kimi Antonelli out for the 2026 Formula 1 season, despite the rookie’s recent struggles.
Antonelli faced another frustrating weekend at Monza, where hopes of redemption after his Zandvoort heartbreak quickly faded. A crash in FP2 was followed by a sluggish race start, and his battle with Alex Albon ended in a five-second penalty, leaving him ninth at the flag. The result dropped him behind Albon in the drivers’ standings and reignited debate about whether Mercedes should persist with the Italian teenager next season.
Meanwhile, George Russell is still waiting to put pen to paper on a new deal after a stellar 2025 campaign. The holdup, according to journalist Jon Noble, isn’t about the big picture but rather fine details such as off-track commitments and driver appearance days.
🚨 | BREAKING: Toto Wolff has confirmed today that Mercedes will continue with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli in 2026.
[@autosport] pic.twitter.com/JZgvp2HF5t
— Mercedes Hub (@MercedesF1_Hub) August 31, 2025
Speaking on The Race F1 Podcast, Noble clarified that Antonelli isn’t being considered for a loan spell, with Alpine’s seat alongside Pierre Gasly still technically available. “No, they’re not loaning him,” he explained. “I think the contracts are quite simple. They want to get both lined up at the same time. With George, it comes down to things like driver appearance days and how many he does and how they’re counted. That’s the final step of contracts.”
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