Guenther Steiner snubs Kimi Antonelli in naming the ‘next Max Verstappen’ in F1

Guenther Steiner did not consider Kimi Antonelli to be the 'next Max Verstappen' in Formula 1.

Guenther Steiner snubs Kimi Antonelli in naming the ‘next Max Verstappen’ in F1

Guenther Steiner (L), Kimi Antonelli (R) (images via IMAGO)

Andrea Kimi Antonelli quickly gained popularity due to his great performances in the junior categories despite being 17 years old. The Italian driver has already gained traction in F1 and could be racing at the pinnacle of the motorsport soon. Multiple people have already labeled Antonelli as the ‘next Max Verstappen‘. However, sacked Haas team principal Guenther Steiner believes differently from others.

Oliver Bearman made his F1 debut during the 2024 season to fill in for Carlos Sainz. Bearman quickly grasped Formula 1’s driving and scored a P6 finish through the tight streets of the Saudi Arabian GP. Hence, the 19-year-old was among the competitors being labeled as the next prodigy in Formula 1. Guenther Steiner reckoned that Bearman was a great match for joining Haas in the coming season.

I think Oliver Bearman is a good move for Haas.
Guenther Steiner said on the Red Flags Podcast (H&T: racingnews365.com).
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Additionally, the German believed that Bearman performed well in Ferrari despite racing in only one race. However, Steiner also added that it was ‘too early’ to claim him as the ‘next Max Verstappen’. Kimi Antonelli wasn’t even acknowledged by the sacked Haas principal. The 59-year-old reckoned that there was a ’50-50 chance’ that Bearman became the next prodigy in F1.

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Bearman did well in the Ferrari, even if it was only one race, and I think he knows himself. It's a little too early to say, 'This is the now the new Max Verstappen. He could be it, but it's also 50/50. You have no certainty that it will be him.
Guenther Steiner added.

Toto Wolff claims Mercedes doesn’t want to put ‘extra pressure’ on Kimi Antonelli to perform

Kimi Antonelli has been the prime candidate to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton. However, no concrete news regarding this has surfaced yet. Mercedes is still looking for their driver options for the coming season. Amidst this, Toto Wolff reckoned that Antonelli’s performance was ‘promising’. Additionally, the 52-year-old mentioned that the team didn’t want to put any extra pressure on the 17-year-old’s shoulder to perform in F1.

We have a young kid that is very promising, I don’t want to put more extra pressure on him but it looks like he can be one of the great ones.
Toto Wolff said, as reported by Formula 1.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Via: Imago)

However, Wolff also acknowledged that the team didn’t want to rush into the decision of allowing Antonelli to drive an F1 challenger. The Italian driver was just 17 years old and would need to wait out a year to gain his super license. Hence, the team principal added that multiple options can be played out for Antonelli.

But we also don’t want to drown him jumping so quickly in an F1 car – he’s 17. There are a few options that we could play with him.
Toto Wolff added.

Kimi Antonelli has been on the radar of multiple Formula 1 teams for a long time. FIA had reportedly received a special request from Williams to allow the Italian to race in F1 before he turned 18. However, Antonelli’s debut in Formula 1 will likely take some more time and consideration. Regardless, the 17-year-old will remain vigilant for any chances popping up.

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