The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team enters every season as one of the most-watched and most-discussed operations in motorsport, and the news flow around the team runs continuously throughout the calendar year. From technical development updates and driver lineup decisions to commercial partnerships and race results, the Brackley-based squad generates more headlines than any other team on the grid.
This guide covers the current state of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, what the latest confirmed news is, what is still speculation, and what the team’s broader direction looks like under the current technical and sporting regulations.
The Current State of the Team
Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team is the works Mercedes-AMG entry in the FIA Formula One World Championship, operating from a state-of-the-art facility in Brackley, England with the power unit division based in Brixworth. The team has won eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships between 2014 and 2021 and seven consecutive Drivers’ Championships with Lewis Hamilton during the same period, making it the most successful constructor-engineer combination in the modern era.
The team is currently navigating a transitional period. The dominant era of the turbo-hybrid V6 power unit is over, and the regulation reset for 2022 onwards brought Mercedes back into a closer fight with Red Bull Racing and Ferrari. The team has not won a Constructors’ Championship since 2021, and the longer the gap extends, the more pressure there is on the technical leadership to deliver a new title-winning car.
The Driver Lineup for the Current Season
As of the 2026 season, the team’s race drivers are George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Russell joined Mercedes from Williams in 2022 and has been the team’s lead driver since Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari at the end of 2024. Antonelli, an Italian teenager who came through the Mercedes junior program, was promoted from Formula 2 directly into the race seat vacated by Hamilton, making him one of the youngest full-time F1 drivers in recent memory.
Russell is signed through the end of the 2026 season, and his contract situation has been a recurring topic in F1 media. Antonelli’s contract length is less consistently reported. Reserve and development driver roles are filled through the team’s wider junior driver program, with Frederik Vesti and other Mercedes-affiliated drivers typically rotating through simulator and test duties.
The 2026 Power Unit and Regulation Reset
The 2026 season introduces the most significant power unit regulation change in over a decade. The new regulations increase the electrical component of the power unit substantially, with the internal combustion engine’s output reduced and the hybrid system’s contribution increased. The fuel must be fully sustainable, and the cost cap for power units remains in place.
Mercedes-Benz has publicly committed to the 2026 regulations and is developing its next-generation power unit at Brixworth. The team’s stated goal is to be competitive from the first race of the new regulations, both in the works team and in customer team applications. How the new power unit compares to those of Ferrari, Honda, and Audi (joining in 2026) is one of the central questions of the season.
Performance and Race Results So Far
The team’s race-by-race results through the 2025 and into 2026 have been mixed. Russell has generally outperformed the car in qualifying and has secured several podium finishes, while Antonelli has shown strong race pace but with the inconsistency typical of a young driver in only his second full season. The team has scored points regularly but has not yet returned to the dominant form of the previous era.
For specific race results, qualifying positions, and championship standings, readers should consult the official Formula 1 website or recent race reports, as these numbers change every race weekend.
Commercial Partnerships and Sponsorship
Title partner PETRONAS continues to be one of the most visible sponsors in motorsport, with the Malaysian energy company’s branding featured prominently on the car’s livery, driver suits, and team apparel. Other major partners include INEOS, which holds a one-third ownership stake in the team, as well as various technical and commercial partners across automotive, financial services, and consumer goods categories.
For the most current list of partners, the official team website maintains an up-to-date page.
Technical Leadership and Senior Personnel
The team principal is Toto Wolff, who also serves as CEO of the team and holds a one-third ownership stake alongside INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Mercedes-Benz AG. The technical director and other senior engineering roles have been restructured several times in the post-2021 period as the team has worked to address its performance gap to Red Bull and Ferrari.
Specific personnel changes and restructuring announcements are reported in the motorsport press as they happen. Readers interested in the most current org chart should consult specialist outlets such as The Race, Motorsport.com, or Formula 1’s own media channels.
Where to Follow the Team for Reliable News
For authoritative, up-to-date information, the most reliable sources are: the official Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team website, Formula 1’s own digital channels, the official FIA press releases, and established motorsport news outlets with long track records. Social media is useful for real-time updates on race weekends but should not be relied on for substantive reporting.
For external reference on the team’s history and competitive record, the official Formula 1 statistics database and the team’s own media kit provide primary-source information that is more reliable than secondary reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Constructors’ Championships has Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS won?
As of the end of 2025, the team has won eight Constructors’ Championships, all in succession from 2014 through 2021. The 2022 to 2025 seasons returned Constructors’ titles to other teams.
Who drives for Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS in 2026?
The 2026 race drivers are George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Antonelli joined the team in 2025 as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement.
Is Lewis Hamilton still driving for Mercedes?
No. Lewis Hamilton left Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season and moved to Scuderia Ferrari for 2025 onwards.
Where is the team based?
The chassis and operations base is in Brackley, England. The power unit division is in Brixworth, England. Both are owned and operated by Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
What engine does the team use?
The team uses a Mercedes-Benz hybrid power unit, designed and built at the Brixworth facility. The 2026 power unit is the team’s latest-generation hybrid, developed to the new FIA technical regulations.