Steiner: Antonelli is Wolff’s ‘revenge’ for missing Verstappen

Former Haas boss Guenther Steiner told the Drive to Wynn podcast that Mercedes chief Toto Wolff views 19‑year‑old Kimi Antonelli as a personal comeback after losing Max Verstappen to Red Bull.

Antonelli leads the 2025 drivers’ standings, winning two of the first three races and challenging teammate George Russell.

Steiner says Wolff’s “revenge” isn’t sentimental; it’s about proving Mercedes can produce the next champion. Wolff says he treats Antonelli and Russell equally, as both rose through the Mercedes system.

Why it matters:

Mercedes still feels the loss of Verstappen, a talent that reshaped F1. Antonelli’s early success gives Wolff a chance to rewrite that story and pushes the team to deliver a title‑winning car.

The details:

• Steiner called Antonelli “the next superstar” Wolff wanted after Verstappen left.
• Wins came in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, where Antonelli out‑qualified Russell and led most laps.
• Wolff stressed both drivers “came up through the Mercedes ranks” and will be judged on results.

What's next:

The intra‑team battle will heat up after the summer break. If Antonelli stays on form, Mercedes could finally claim a driver’s title that slipped away with Verstappen. The revenge narrative adds a personal twist to an already close championship.