Guenther Steiner has shot down claims that Kimi Antonelli may combat for the Formulation 1 drivers’ championship in 2026.
After two rounds of the 2026 season, the Italian driver sits second within the standings behind his Mercedes team-mate George Russell. Antonelli secured his maiden F1 victory on the Chinese language Grand Prix, main many to argue that the 19-year-old may combat for the championship this 12 months.
Whereas Steiner agreed that the milestone second would have given Antonelli “numerous confidence”, he argued that beneath 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 stated after securing P2 on the beginning grid. “In Q2 the entrance wing broke – we had been wrapping our heads round that – after which clearly went out in Q3 on monitor, the automotive wasn’t restarting, couldn’t change gear.”
Steiner stated of Antonelli’s victory on The Crimson Flags Podcast: “I feel it provides him numerous confidence as a result of there was a chance for him, as a result of beneath regular circumstances, in the intervening time, to beat George it is very tough.
“And I feel he is conscious of it, not as a result of he is a greater driver – George has bought much more expertise. He is doing this so much youthful and may be very fast as nicely, however as quickly as George could not [maximise] qualifying, he took the chance and stored it.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Picture by: Andy Hone/ LAT Pictures by way of Getty Pictures
“He did not make a mistake. He sees that and says, ‘Truly, I can do that’, and that can assist him going ahead. He did not do something incorrect. It could be straightforward to do one thing incorrect when you find yourself in that place. He stored his cool.”
When requested if Antonelli may combat Russell for the championship, the previous Haas staff principal added, “No. If one thing particular occurs, prefer it occurred in China in qualifying. And the nice factor is he took it there, however beneath regular circumstances… I feel it’s also comprehensible why not.
“The child is nineteen years outdated, second 12 months in Formulation 1, and George is an efficient race automotive driver. So I do not assume 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 must put an excessive amount of strain on himself to win it this 12 months. He has bought a very good future in entrance of him.”
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