Mercedes ended months of waiting with confirmation that George Russell and Kimi Antonelli as their drivers in an unchanged lineup to start Formula One's new era in 2026.
The announcement came as no surprise, with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff making his intentions clear long ago even if nothing was signed.
"Confirming our driver line-up was always just a matter of when, not if," said the Austrian in a team statement.
"We wanted to take our time, handle the negotiations properly and make sure everyone, on all sides, was happy. I'm pleased we have done that."
No contract details were given and only 2026 was mentioned, with lingering speculation about a Mercedes interest in Red Bull's four-times world champion Max Verstappen for 2027 and beyond.
Formula One faces significant change next season, the start of a new engine cycle with the potential to shake up the existing pecking order.
Mercedes, who won eight championships in a row after a similarly significant change in 2014, could well have the best engine again.
Russell, a five-times race winner including the most recent outing in Singapore this month, will be starting his fifth season with the team and eighth in Formula One after starting out at Williams.
Italian teenager Antonelli has been on the podium once – a third place in Canada - in what has been a learning season for the 19-year-old rookie.
