Kimi Antonelli has been surprising Formula 1 in the early stages of 2026, and is already starting to be seen as a favorite for the title this year. For former Haas boss Guenther Steiner, the young driver could surpass teammate George Russell if he manages to stay calm throughout the season.
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After just four races, Antonelli leads the drivers’ championship with a twenty-point advantage over Russell. The nineteen-year-old Italian is experiencing a historic start to his career in the category, boosted by his third consecutive victory at the Miami GP.
The impressive performance has placed Antonelli in an exclusive group in Formula 1. Besides becoming the youngest championship leader in history, he also became the only driver to win his first three GPs starting from pole position.
Before the season started, many believed Russell would be Mercedes’ main name in the title fight, including Steiner. However, the internal balance of the team quickly changed in light of the young Italian’s dominant streak in recent races.
This phase of Russell also contributed to the growing pressure within Mercedes. The Briton failed to reach the podium in the last two races, while Antonelli maintained a perfect winning streak and extended his lead in the standings.
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Steiner believes the main challenge for Antonelli will be to emotionally manage the title fight throughout the championship. According to the former executive, if the Italian can maintain calm in the face of growing pressure, Russell may end up only with the runner-up position in 2026.
Despite the excitement around the rookie, Toto Wolff sought to temper expectations about the young driver. The Mercedes boss said he remains confident in Russell’s recovery and believes the Briton will still respond in the team’s internal battle.
Antonelli’s strong start, however, has already turned the Italian driver into one of the main names in the current Formula 1 season. With three consecutive wins and the championship lead, the young driver has ceased to be just a promise and has established himself as a real contender for the drivers’ title in 2026.
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