Steiner sees ‘more opportunities’ for Antonelli but no title bid

Guenther Steiner was impressed with Kimi Antonelli’s winning display in Shanghai last weekend, but the former Haas team boss is pumping the brakes on any fairytale 2026 title charge.

The 19-year-old Mercedes prodigy stunned the field with a composed, clinical drive to claim his maiden victory at the Chinese Grand Prix. And he now sits second in the Driver’s standings behind teammate George Russell.

But Steiner isn’t buying the prospect of a full-blown championship duel inside the dominant Mercedes squad this season.

An opportunity well exploited

Steiner acknowledged the psychological lift Antonelli will take from that win – but made it clear the circumstances flattered the result.

“I think it gives him a lot of confidence because there was an opportunity for him, because under normal circumstances, at the moment, to beat George it's very difficult,” the Italian explained, speaking on The Red Flags Podcast.

That “opportunity” came when Russell’s weekend unraveled at the worst possible moment. A front wing failure and technical gremlins derailed his qualifying, handing Antonelli the opening he needed.

Russell himself didn’t hide the frustration:

“Definitely damage limitation,” Russell said after securing P2 on the starting grid. “In Q2 the front wing broke – we were wrapping our heads around that – and then obviously went out in Q3 on track, the car wasn’t restarting, couldn’t change gear.”

Steiner sees the bigger picture: Antonelli didn’t luck into the win – he executed it flawlessly – but the conditions that allowed it were far from typical.

“And I think he's aware of it, not because he's a better driver - George has got a lot more experience. He's doing this a lot younger and is very quick as well, but as soon as George couldn't [maximise] qualifying, he took the opportunity and kept it,” Steiner said.

“He didn't make a mistake. He sees that and says, 'Actually, I can do this', and that will help him going forward. He didn't do anything wrong. It would be easy to do something wrong when you are in that position. He kept his cool.”

Title fight? ‘No.’

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The hype machine might be shifting into overdrive, but Steiner isn’t interested in fairy tales. When asked point-blank whether Antonelli can take the fight to Russell over a full season, his answer was immediate – and brutal.

“No.”

It’s not dismissal – it’s perspective.

“If something special happens, like it happened in China in qualifying. And the good thing is he took it there, but under normal circumstances... I think it is also understandable why not,” Steiner continued.

Experience, he insists, is still the decisive factor. Russell isn’t just quick – he’s seasoned, battle-tested, and far less likely to let opportunities slip over the long haul of a championship campaign.

“The kid is 19 years old, second year in Formula 1, and George is a good race car driver. So I don't think he can do it this year, but there are other opportunities for Kimi.”

A warning wrapped as praise

If anything, Steiner’s message is less a criticism and more a warning against premature expectations. Antonelli’s ceiling is sky-high – but forcing a title push too early could do more harm than good.

“If he doesn't win it this year, he can win it another time because he's so young. For me, he doesn't have to put too much pressure on himself to win it this year. He has got a good future in front of him.”

In other words: China proved Antonelli belongs. But over a full season, against a teammate like Russell, belonging isn’t the same as conquering—at least not yet.

The paddock may be ready to crown Formula 1’s next superstar. Steiner, as ever, prefers to wait until the crown is actually earned.

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