Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner believes George Russell is evaluating options beyond Mercedes for the 2028 Formula 1 season. This assessment follows the strong emergence of Kimi Antonelli during the current 2026 campaign. Steiner has identified Audi as a potential destination for Russell, though he noted that Carlos Sainz could also be a candidate for the same seat.
Antonelli has demonstrated significant performance this season, securing six victories to date. He currently holds a 50-point lead over Lewis Hamilton in the drivers’ championship standings as the series heads into its summer break. Russell trails Hamilton by a further nine points.
Russell commenced the 2026 season as the favoured Mercedes driver, winning the opening race in Australia. However, Antonelli rebounded from a heavy Free Practice 3 crash in Melbourne to achieve five consecutive lights-to-flag victories. This made him the first driver in Formula 1 history to convert his first five pole positions into Grand Prix wins.
Antonelli also became the youngest driver to lead the drivers’ championship. He achieved this milestone at 19 years, 7 months, and 4 days old, surpassing Russell in the standings after his victory in Japan.
‘I think George is also looking around now, knowing that he’s now with Kimi. He doesn’t want to stay with Kimi for the rest of his life, because there he knows where he is for the rest of his life. So, he is trying to find new opportunities,’ Steiner stated on the Red Flags podcast.
Audi is competing in its inaugural Formula 1 season as a works team, having acquired the Sauber outfit. The team has accumulated 12 points and recorded six P11 finishes this season. Both their chassis and power unit have garnered positive attention.
Steiner commented on Audi’s progress, stating, ‘That’s quite an interesting place because they’re making good progress. It seems to be on track, what they are doing.’ He also indicated significant driver interest in Audi for the 2028 season.
Carlos Sainz, currently with Williams, is another driver linked to the German manufacturer for 2028. Sainz reportedly declined an offer from Audi in favour of joining Williams in 2024. He is understood to be remaining with Williams for another year.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has maintained that team orders will not be implemented, with the constructors’ title being his sole objective. Both Russell and Antonelli, however, are focused on securing the world title.
