Former Haas System 1 crew principal Guenther Steiner has predicted that 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.
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Throughout an look on , 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 is not solely that you just want the machine, however his team-mate is George Russell. He has received team-mate, an excellent driver, who I fee extremely,” Steiner mentioned. “And I believed it is his time to carry it residence 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.”
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When requested if he thought it was now Antonelli’s championship to lose, the previous crew chief added: “He nonetheless must win it. However he is exhibiting all of the indicators of not being bothered by no matter is going on. The factor which I largely worry is that possibly he has received some points after which loses his cool about it, a bit of bit like Oscar did final 12 months.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
“He was nicely 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. Perhaps it’s for him to lose, however I believe we’re early within the season.”
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The season will proceed with the Canadian Grand Prix on 22-24 Might at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, a monitor that Russell argues is one in all 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 sits third with 59 factors and 2025 champion is fourth with 51 factors.
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