Steiner Commends Wolff’s Decision to Allow Free Mercedes Driver Competition in Canadian GP
Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner praised Mercedes boss Toto Wolff for permitting his drivers George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli to compete freely during the Canadian Grand Prix. The 2026 season’s new regulations have coincided with Mercedes’ perfect record, having won every race so far. While Russell claimed victory at the Australian Grand Prix, Antonelli has secured wins in China, Japan, Miami, and Canada, becoming the youngest driver to lead the championship and the first to win his initial four Grands Prix consecutively. The Canadian weekend showcased intense intra-team rivalry in both the sprint and main event. Despite tensions flaring in the sprint when Antonelli expressed frustration over being forced off-track via team radio, the pair maintained their competitive dynamic in Sunday’s Grand Prix. Their 30-lap battle concluded with Russell’s retirement, though Steiner suggested their unresolved rivalry might have led to a crash had the race continued. During The Red Flags Podcast, Steiner highlighted Wolff’s restraint, stating: “Toto Wolff. And you know why? Because he let them race. He didn’t interfere, didn’t say anything, just let them out there.” When questioned about potential internal discussions following the sprint incident, Steiner acknowledged such conversations likely occurred but credited Wolff’s decision not to intervene as “remarkable, good in my opinion.”
