Kimi Antonelli’s remarkable rise at Mercedes is creating a fresh contractual dilemma for Toto Wolff, with the Italian reportedly set to collect a €15 million bonus while earning a fraction of teammate George Russell’s salary. Former Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello believes Mercedes may eventually have to contend with another complication: Antonelli’s long-term future could lie at Ferrari.
Antonelli’s performances have transformed the perception of Mercedes’ decision to promote him into its senior Formula 1 team. What initially represented a considerable gamble on a teenage talent has developed into one of the defining stories of the 2026 campaign.
His achievements have also raised questions about whether his existing financial arrangements adequately reflect his growing importance to the team.
With the season approaching its conclusion, attention is turning towards negotiations over his next contract and whether Mercedes will need to substantially improve its offer to retain one of the most valuable young drivers in Formula 1.
Antonelli’s €15 million bonus puts Mercedes contract under scrutiny
According to Italian publication Autosprint, Antonelli is entitled to a substantial performance-related bonus worth up to €15 million under the terms of his existing Mercedes agreement.
His reported annual salary, however, stands at approximately €3.4 million.
Although that is a significant income by ordinary standards, it is comparatively modest for a driver who has established himself among the leading names in Formula 1.
Antonelli’s commercial value has also increased considerably alongside his performances. His popularity in Italy, combined with his growing international profile, has made him an increasingly important figure for Mercedes both on and off the circuit.
The bonus represents recognition of what he has achieved, but it does not necessarily resolve the wider question of his long-term remuneration.
Mercedes will therefore have to consider whether the current arrangement remains appropriate as negotiations over his future begin.
Russell’s €34 million salary highlights Mercedes’ growing dilemma
The financial comparison with George Russell is particularly striking.
The British driver reportedly earns approximately €34 million per season following the lucrative contract extension negotiated with Mercedes last year.
That is roughly ten times Antonelli’s reported basic salary.
At the beginning of the championship, Russell was widely regarded as Mercedes’ leading driver and the more established candidate to spearhead the team’s ambitions.
However, Antonelli’s performances have changed the internal dynamic.
The young Italian has increasingly challenged expectations, while Russell has experienced difficulties converting the team’s potential into the results many anticipated.
The comparison is not necessarily a straightforward measure of either driver’s value. Russell’s salary reflects his experience, previous achievements and the circumstances surrounding his contract negotiations.
Nevertheless, Antonelli’s growing influence makes the difference increasingly difficult to ignore.
Mercedes must also consider the consequences of allowing its most promising driver to become financially undervalued relative to his contribution.
Toto Wolff has invested heavily in Antonelli’s development, and the Austrian will be keen to ensure that investment delivers long-term benefits rather than opening the door to rival manufacturers.
Barrichello predicts Antonelli will eventually join Ferrari
While Mercedes considers its contractual position, Antonelli’s potential future at Ferrari is already attracting attention.
The prospect of an Italian driver representing the Scuderia has obvious emotional appeal, particularly given the enthusiasm Antonelli has generated among Ferrari supporters.
Rubens Barrichello, who spent several seasons racing for Ferrari alongside Michael Schumacher, believes a move to Maranello could eventually become a realistic possibility.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Brazilian praised Mercedes for recognising Antonelli’s potential at such an early stage.
“Mercedes did well to invest in him,” Barrichello said.
“Today it’s easy to praise him, but choosing him when he was still a kid and bringing him straight to F1 with a top team wasn’t a foregone conclusion.
“A future at Ferrari? I definitely think so, it’s every driver’s dream at some point in their career. It’s not just about success, but about history.
“And I think Kimi, as an Italian, is even more captivated. Imagine what could happen.”
Barrichello’s comments reflect the special relationship between Ferrari and Italian motorsport supporters.
For Antonelli, however, any decision about his future would involve considerably more than sentiment. Mercedes has provided the platform for his development and remains a team capable of competing at the front of the grid.
Mercedes must protect its investment as Ferrari speculation grows
For now, there is no indication that Antonelli is preparing to leave Mercedes, and Barrichello’s prediction should not be mistaken for evidence of an impending transfer.
Nevertheless, the combination of his reported contractual arrangements, growing reputation and Ferrari’s historical attraction creates an interesting situation for Wolff.
Mercedes has successfully developed a driver who could become a central figure in Formula 1 for many years.
The challenge now is ensuring that its contractual commitment reflects that potential before rival teams have an opportunity to test his loyalty.
Antonelli’s reported €15 million bonus is a substantial reward, but the more important question concerns what happens when his next contract is negotiated.
Ferrari may remain a distant possibility for now. However, if Antonelli continues on his current trajectory, Mercedes could eventually find that keeping its Italian star requires considerably more than the investment that brought him into Formula 1.
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Alex Stanton is a Formula 1 journalist at TJ13 with a focus on the financial and commercial dynamics that underpin the sport. Alex contributes reporting and analysis on team ownership structures, sponsorship trends, and the evolving business model of Formula 1.
At TJ13, Alex covers topics including manufacturer investment, cost cap implications, and the strategic direction of teams navigating an increasingly complex financial environment. Alex’s work often examines how commercial decisions translate into on-track performance and long-term competitiveness.
With a strong interest in the intersection of sport and business, Alex provides context around Formula 1’s global growth, including media rights, expansion markets, and manufacturer influence.
Alex’s reporting aims to explain the financial realities behind headline stories, helping readers understand how money, governance, and strategy shape the competitive order in Formula 1.
