Toto Wolff confirms Kimi Antonelli will remain with Mercedes in 2026 F1 season. Toto Wolff confirms Antonelli’s future at Mercedes.

Antonelli appears set to stay with Mercedes for the 2026 season, according to the latest statements from team principal Toto Wolff. Just over a year ago, Mercedes officially announced Kimi Antonelli as part of their driver lineup for 2025, and it now seems the Italian driver’s journey with the Silver Arrows will continue into next year. Wolff’s decision to back him so decisively comes with good reason, especially considering Kimi Antonelli took over the seat previously held by Lewis Hamilton, inheriting the weight of a legendary legacy.

Despite going through a challenging stretch in recent races, Wolff continues to have faith in his protégé. Antonelli demonstrated remarkable skill in the early part of the season but struggled during the start of the European rounds, partly due to an update that did not perform as expected. Nevertheless, rumors began circulating suggesting that the Italian might be moved to a smaller team in 2026 to gain further experience. Wolff was quick to dismiss these speculations, reaffirming his confidence in the young driver.

Toto Wolff’s firm denial of the rumors

Antonelli had been linked to two potential moves: Alpine, which, like Mercedes, has not finalized its official driver lineup, and Williams. There was even talk of a potential swap with Carlos Sainz, given the strong professional relationship between Toto Wolff and James Vowles. However, when Wolff was asked about these rumors in an interview with Sky Sport, he responded firmly: “All these stories about Antonelli moving to Williams or Alpine are completely absurd. There is 0% chance.” He went on to clarify: “Antonelli will be 100% at Mercedes in 2026.”

This confirmation establishes that Antonelli will remain in a Mercedes cockpit next year, continuing his growth as a driver with expected highs and lows, which is normal in Formula 1. Toto Wolff is fully aware of this trajectory and remains committed to nurturing the Italian talent under his guidance, ensuring he has the stability and support needed to reach his full potential with the team.