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Motorsport

Lydia Mee

Toto Wolff "too smart" to pair Max Verstappen with Kimi Antonelli, says Guenther Steiner

Max Verstappen Guenther Steiner Toto Wolff Kimi Antonelli Mercedes George Russell

Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner believes Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is "too smart" to consider pairing Max Verstappen with Kimi Antonelli.

Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, Steiner weighed in on rumours linking the Red Bull driver to Mercedes. During the 'Gas or Brake' segment of the podcast, the hypothetical scenario was put to Steiner, suggesting that the Dutchman could replace George Russell at Mercedes.

"I don't think that will happen. Max will not replace George. Why would Toto bring in Max now when he has got the biggest future talent in his place?" Steiner said of current championship leader Antonelli.

"I think Max is the best at the moment, but at some stage, somebody will be better, and for sure, Kimi at some stage will be better than him. But why would he bring in now somebody like Max, and then he gets a competition and they may both lose. That is not what Toto will do. Toto is too smart to do that."

Mercedes has enjoyed a strong start to the 2026 season, winning every grand prix so far. While Russell won the Australian Grand Prix and the Chinese sprint race, it was Antonelli who picked up five consecutive wins.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing (Photo by: Andrea Diodato / NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Wolff reiterated his commitment to the Brackley outfit's current driver line-up in an interview with OE24 in March. "The amazing thing is that these stupid rumours are already coming up in March," Wolff said. "Stupid enough that you usually talk about it in July.

"I don’t know who brought it up again. We have two drivers with whom we have long-term, multi-year contracts. I couldn’t be happier with the two of them.

"Both deliver top performances, so there is no reason at all to even think about a line-up change, about other drivers. I say that with the greatest respect to Max."

Photos from Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

33 Formula 1

Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Scuderia Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Fans

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Frederik Vesti, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Paul Aron, Audi F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Alexander Albon, Williams

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

General view

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Lando Norris, McLaren, Carlos Sainz, Williams

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Thursday

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