What should Mercedes’ F1 2026 line-up be? Our writers debate

With rumours swirling about the “conversations” Toto Wolff is having with Max Verstappen, it can’t be completely ruled out that the four-time world champion could end up driving for Mercedes in 2026. But would that be the right move for the team? And if so, who should share the garage with him?

That scenario remains unlikely. Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until 2028, and getting out of it won’t be straightforward. But in F1, anything is possible, and the longer Mercedes delays confirming its 2026 line-up, the more the rumours will grow. Wolff isn’t denying that conversations are taking place, and his current lead driver, George Russell, openly acknowledges that Verstappen is on Wolff’s “radar”. So even if unlikely, the possibility of Verstappen joining Mercedes next season isn’t zero.

Yet if Wolff does manage to sign Verstappen, there’s a difficult question he will need to answer: which driver from the current line-up should stay? Our writers offer their views…

Verstappen–Antonelli: Best option for short and long term – Ronald Vording

It’s no secret that Toto Wolff has had Max Verstappen “on the radar” for quite some time, to use George Russell’s words.

The story famously dates back to 2014, when the Mercedes team boss wanted to sign Verstappen but envisioned a year in GP2 first—while Red Bull struck quickly by placing him in its sister team. Last year’s discussions didn’t lead to a move either, but with the 2026 regulations looming and positive sounds about Mercedes’ new power unit, the third time could still be the charm.

If Verstappen does make the switch, the natural follow-up question is: who should line up alongside him? Andrea Kimi Antonelli seems a logical choice – not only due to Verstappen’s dynamic with Russell, but more importantly because Antonelli has already shown glimpses of his potential this year. Of course, rookie mistakes like the one in Austria are still there, but every driver – including Verstappen himself – has been there. Antonelli’s sprint pole in Miami and the podium finish in Canada already hint at his talent, and let’s not forget: he is still only 18 years old.

Mercedes could also take a cue from McLaren. There, Oscar Piastri showed flashes of class in his debut year, before making major progress in seasons two and three. A similar trajectory can reasonably be expected for Antonelli, which is why benching him or demoting him to another team could be counterproductive. In fact, pairing Verstappen with Antonelli could even benefit the young Italian’s development. Admittedly, the dynamic might be very different as team-mates, but Verstappen likes helping young talents this season —just look at his support of Gabriel Bortoleto.

Antonelli would have the opportunity to learn from a four-time world champion, while Mercedes would gain a team leader with even greater stature than Russell. This line-up would give Mercedes the best driver on the grid for the upcoming years, while allowing Antonelli to grow into a future star within a top team environment. If Mercedes truly sees Antonelli as its long-term future, then sidelining him would make little sense.

Verstappen-Russell: Go for the strongest lineup possible – Oleg Karpov

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes

Photo by: James Sutton / Motorsport Images via Getty Images

Given the way George Russell is performing this year – and considering his entire development path in F1 – it’s somewhat baffling that he still hasn’t secured a contract with Mercedes for next season. Yet as Russell himself noted, even if there’s only a slim chance to sign Max Verstappen, you can’t ignore it. Verstappen has long been a target for Toto Wolff and would be at the top of any team principal’s list.

But would it be fair to let Russell go? He’s a Mercedes junior who proved his worth against Lewis Hamilton and ultimately beat him last year. There’s little more Russell could do to show Wolff that he belongs among the best drivers on the grid.

The only thing missing is a world championship title, and that’s down to Mercedes not providing the car to achieve it, not Russell.

Yet it’s assumed that Russell’s seat would be the one Verstappen would take if Wolff convinces him to join. After all, why would Wolff give up on Andrea Kimi Antonelli, his future star and one of the most talented drivers coming through the ranks?

On the other hand, F1 is all about performance. If Mercedes wants the best possible line-up for 2026, the answer should be clear: if Wolff can get Verstappen, it should be Russell sharing the garage with him. Brutal on Antonelli? Yes, but that’s F1. Wolff could find him another seat – even if it means a couple more years at Alpine, soon to become a Mercedes customer team, allowing Antonelli to continue developing there.

The Italian has shown huge potential, but Russell is a finished product. On paper, choosing between the two shouldn’t be that difficult.

Russell and Antonelli: Mercedes should stick with current line-up – Ben Hunt

George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Photo by: James Sutton / Motorsport Images via Getty Images

Mercedes should give up on signing Max Verstappen and stick their faith in George Russell and let him commit to a new long-term deal.

Toto Wolff’s long-term pursuit of Verstappen is, of course, understandable. He is the best driver on the grid right now and the reigning world champion. He would ultimately improve results in the short term and possesses that extra bit of quality that perhaps Russell is missing.

However, it is not that straightforward. If Mercedes rightly believe that Andrea Kimi Antonelli is the future, then partnering them with Verstappen is a surefire way to break the young Italian’s career. If there is one thing we have learned about the Dutch driver’s brilliant ability, it is how that he is so dominant he extinguishes the hopes of the driver in the neighbouring garage.

Verstappen has cycled through team-mates and left Red Bull in a current position of designing a car that only one of its drivers can deliver in – and it is costing them points, wins, and championships. It would not make sense to torch Antonelli’s career at this early point – if Mercedes do value him that highly.

The other element is that if Mercedes are looking long-term, then how much of a viable option is Verstappen?

He has frequently spoken of his disillusionment with F1 and hinted at competing in sportscars. It makes no sense to pin your future hope on someone who is eyeing up the exit. Which is why Russell is the better fit, for the meantime at least.

In an era of an uncertain set of new regulations where, if Mercedes enjoy the same level of success as they did when the turbo hybrid engines were first introduced, ushering in a crushing spell of dominance, then Russell would offer some harmony and continuity if he were to continue his partnership with Antonelli.

When so many factors are changing in the series, there is something to be said for having some continuity and stability.