Günther Steiner anticipates a less dominant weekend for Mercedes at the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix, scheduled for July 24-26, 2026. The former Haas team principal expects Max Verstappen to maintain his recent upward performance trajectory. This assessment follows a period of varied form for both teams in the current Formula 1 season.
Mercedes has demonstrated significant strength throughout the 2026 campaign, securing victories in the first three Grands Prix and the China Sprint. The team achieved consecutive one-two finishes at the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli currently leads the Drivers’ Championship, with George Russell holding second position. Antonelli notably claimed his maiden Formula 1 win at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix. Mercedes’ W17 car, designed under new regulations, is lighter, smaller, and narrower.
The team’s technical advantage, particularly in power unit performance and energy management, has been a key factor. This allows Mercedes to deploy greater power for extended periods during races.
Conversely, Red Bull Racing experienced a challenging start to the 2026 season. The team was positioned sixth in the Constructors’ standings as of late April. Max Verstappen encountered early setbacks, including a qualifying crash in Australia and an engine-related retirement in China.
Verstappen also retired from the British Grand Prix due to a rear wing failure, placing him seventh in the Drivers’ Championship, 76 points behind Antonelli. Red Bull initially struggled with inconsistent balance and a lack of downforce.
However, Red Bull has shown signs of improvement in recent rounds. Verstappen secured a podium finish at the Belgian Grand Prix, held from July 17-19, 2026. This performance indicates a rediscovered competitive edge for the team.
Steiner has previously commented on Verstappen’s future, advising against a move to Mercedes. He cited Red Bull’s bespoke team structure built around Verstappen and Mercedes’ established driver lineup of Russell and Antonelli.
He also suggested that Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff would be ‘too smart’ to disrupt his current driver pairing. Steiner had earlier downplayed Verstappen’s criticisms of the new 2026 car regulations, stating that winning would likely change his perspective.
The focus now shifts to the Hungaroring, where the teams will compete in the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend.
