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Motorsport

Lydia Mee

Guenther Steiner points to Mercedes dynamic shift after Kimi Antonelli dominance

Kimi Antonelli Guenther Steiner Mercedes George Russell

Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner believes that the internal momentum and "sympathy" within the Mercedes garage will have naturally shifted towards Kimi Antonelli after the Italian driver's strong start to 2026.

Antonelli has taken the paddock by storm in 2026. The 19-year-old has secured five consecutive grand prix wins, extending his lead in the drivers' championship to 66 points. In contrast, Geroge Russell has endured a frustrating run of races.

Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, Steiner argued that Antonelli's impressive performances will inevitably have shifted the dynamic in the Brackley outfit.

"I don't think [Russell] gets isolated, but for sure the shift of the sympathy of the people in the team is now with Kimi, because he's doing something special. He's a 19-year-old kid; everybody wants to support him.

"I don't think they isolate George, but that is where George needs to be strong because he will now think, 'Oh everybody's against me,' but no, you need to keep the people around you, and still motivate them.

George Russell, Mercedes (Photo by: Andrea Diodato / NurPhoto via Getty Images)

"But it's understandable that all the people now are sympathetic or support the winner because he did something very special, Kimi. That doesn't mean that they don't like George anymore, but George needs to believe that as well, not only us.

"In the team, they still respect George, but you can imagine how these people feel, this kid coming along and winning five races in a row for them. They all want to be associated with him, and I'm not saying that they don't like George anymore, but if there is a favourite in the team, even if this is only 1% more love he gets, Kimi will get it."

Russell heads into the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix with the aim of breaking Antonelli's winning streak. The Briton topped the timesheets in the first practice session.

Photos from Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

52 Formula 1

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team, Franco Colapinto, Alpine, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Dino Beganovic, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Dino Beganovic, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Frederik Vesti, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Jean Todt, former FIA President

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Dino Beganovic, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Paul Aron, Audi F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Ayumu Iwasa, Oracle Red Bull Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Cadillac car tech detail

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Racing Bulls car tech detail

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Steve Nielsen, Managing Director, Alpine F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Audi F1 Team with Marc Marquez.

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Marc Marquez in the Audi F1 Team R26 in the garage.

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team, Marc Marquez

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Flavy Barla arrives in the paddock.

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

George Russell, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

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