Günther Steiner has expressed significant admiration for Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, describing his abilities as ‘pure talent’. Steiner’s comments follow Antonelli’s recent victory at the Italian Grand Prix, a performance that has further solidified his position in the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Antonelli secured his first Formula 1 win at Monza on September 6, 2026, after starting from 19th position on the grid. This remarkable comeback drive saw him become the first Italian to win his home Grand Prix in 60 years.
The Mercedes driver navigated through the field with a blend of pace and strategic overtaking, ultimately passing teammate George Russell in the closing laps. Russell had started second but struggled on older tyres.
Antonelli’s triumph at Monza extended his lead in the 2026 Drivers’ Championship. He now holds 267 points, establishing a 66-point advantage over Russell, who is in second place with 201 points.
Steiner, the former Haas team principal, had previously predicted Antonelli would challenge for the 2026 title. In May 2026, he stated that Antonelli was ‘slowly taking it away’ from Russell, provided the young driver could ‘keep his cool.’
Steiner also theorised in April 2026 that the new 2026 regulations, featuring aerodynamically and electrically different cars, benefit Antonelli. He suggested Antonelli has ‘no old habits to unlearn,’ unlike more experienced drivers who must adapt.
Mercedes has confirmed Antonelli and Russell as their driver pairing for the 2026 season, with Steiner noting in August 2026 that Mercedes had ‘decisively placed its bet on Andrea Kimi Antonelli for the 2026 Drivers’ Championship,’ with Russell in a support role.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull Racing, extended his contract with the team until the end of 2030, an announcement made on August 20, 2026.
Verstappen’s 2026 season has presented challenges, with the four-time world champion currently sitting sixth in the drivers’ championship. He recorded a DNF at the Dutch Grand Prix due to a spin and contact with the barrier.
At the Italian Grand Prix, Verstappen secured a third-place finish, marking his fifth podium of the season. He acknowledged Red Bull’s struggle to match Mercedes-powered cars in energy deployment at Monza.
‘It was quite clear during the race that we simply couldn’t keep up with the energy deployment of the Mercedes-powered cars,’ Verstappen stated after the Italian Grand Prix.
Verstappen had aimed for a podium return at Monza after a disappointing home event in Zandvoort.
