Max Verstappen was once a target for Mercedes prior to the start of his F1 career with Red Bull.
Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner has suggested that Toto Wolff is seeking “revenge” by having Kimi Antonelli race at Mercedes. Antonelli, who joined Mercedes in 2025, has had a strong start to the current season with two grand prix wins in the first three rounds, leading the drivers’ standings.
Steiner believes the upcoming title battle between Antonelli and George Russell will be handled fairly by Wolff, as both drivers have come up through the Mercedes ranks. He commended Wolff for his approach to managing the drivers equally, acknowledging Russell’s and Antonelli’s development within the team.
Antonelli’s early promotion to the Mercedes team is seen by Steiner as Wolff’s way of making up for missing out on signing Max Verstappen in the past. Despite this, Steiner noted that Wolff’s main focus is on team success and that he prioritizes Mercedes’s interests above personal motivations.
The decision to bring Antonelli on board at Mercedes reflects the team’s strategy of nurturing young talent, with the aim of securing future success. Wolff’s commitment to ensuring fairness and success for the team underscores his dedication to Mercedes and the aspiration for continued triumph in Formula 1.
