Former Haas Formulation 1 workforce principal Guenther Steiner has predicted that George Russell will finish the 2026 season as runner-up if Kimi Antonelli can “maintain his cool”.
Whereas we’re solely 4 rounds into the season, Steiner has seen sufficient to boldly predict the ultimate drivers’ championship standings.
Throughout an look on The Crimson Flags Podcast, Steiner mentioned Antonelli’s spectacular begin. The Italian driver took the lead within the standings after back-to-back wins in China and Japan and has since prolonged his benefit over Russell to twenty factors after one other victory in Miami.
“It isn’t solely that you simply want the machine, however his team-mate is George Russell. He has received a very good team-mate, an excellent driver, who I price extremely,” Steiner mentioned. “And I assumed it is his time to convey it dwelling this 12 months, the championship. However I believe Kimi is slowly taking it away from him, if he can maintain his cool.
“George, I believe he would be the vice champion, not the champion.”
When requested if he thought it was now Antonelli’s championship to lose, the previous workforce chief added: “He nonetheless must win it. However he is displaying all of the indicators of not being bothered by no matter is occurring. The factor which I largely worry is that perhaps he has received some points after which loses his cool about it, a little bit bit like Oscar did final 12 months.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photograph by: Anni Graf – Formulation 1 through Getty Pictures
“He was effectively in command earlier than the summer time break, and after the summer time break, two issues occurred which he did not like, and he misplaced the championship. Possibly it’s for him to lose, however I believe we’re early within the season.”
The season will proceed with the Canadian Grand Prix on 22-24 Could at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, a monitor that Russell argues is one in every of his strongest. Heading into the Canadian Grand Prix, Antonelli leads the drivers’ standings on 100 factors, with Russell following on 80 factors in second. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc sits third with 59 factors and 2025 champion Lando Norris is fourth with 51 factors.
We wish your opinion!
What would you wish to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Group
