Guenther Steiner has shot down claims that Kimi Antonelli may struggle for the Method 1 drivers’ championship in 2026.
After two rounds of the 2026 season, the Italian driver sits second within the standings behind his team-mate . Antonelli secured his maiden F1 victory on the Chinese language Grand Prix, main many to argue that the 19-year-old may struggle for the championship this 12 months.
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Whereas Steiner agreed that the milestone second would have given Antonelli “a whole lot of confidence”, he argued that below regular circumstances, he would wrestle to beat Russell. Throughout qualifying for the Chinese language Grand Prix, the Briton bumped into points.
“Undoubtedly injury limitation,” Russell mentioned after securing P2 on the beginning grid. “In Q2 the entrance wing broke – we have been wrapping our heads round that – after which clearly went out in Q3 on observe, the automobile wasn’t restarting, couldn’t change gear.”
Steiner mentioned of Antonelli’s victory on : “I believe it offers him a whole lot of confidence as a result of there was a possibility for him, as a result of below regular circumstances, in the intervening time, to beat George it’s totally troublesome.
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“And I believe he is conscious of it, not as a result of he is a greater driver – George has acquired much more expertise. He is doing this quite a bit youthful and could be very fast as effectively, however as quickly as George could not [maximise] qualifying, he took the chance and saved it.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
“He did not make a mistake. He sees that and says, ‘Really, I can do that’, and that may assist him going ahead. He did not do something unsuitable. It could be simple to do one thing unsuitable when you’re in that place. He saved his cool.”
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When requested if Antonelli may struggle Russell for the championship, the previous Haas group principal added, “No. If one thing particular occurs, prefer it occurred in China in qualifying. And the great factor is he took it there, however below regular circumstances… I believe it’s also comprehensible why not.
“The child is nineteen years outdated, second 12 months in Method 1, and George is an effective race automobile driver. So I do not suppose he can do it this 12 months, however there are different alternatives for Kimi. If he does not win it this 12 months, he can win it one other time as a result of he is so younger. For me, he does not need to put an excessive amount of strain on himself to win it this 12 months. He has acquired future in entrance of him.”
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