Guenther Steiner, former director of the Haas Formula 1 team, has expressed that Mercedes chief Toto Wolff would not hesitate to impose team orders if Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton become a real threat for the constructors’ and drivers’ championships.
Following a notable performance by Ferrari at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, where Hamilton achieved his first victory with the Maranello team, Steiner suggested that the dynamic at the front of the grid could change significantly.
Internal rivalry at Mercedes
In a recent appearance on “The Red Flags Podcast”, Steiner commented on the internal competition between Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. In the first seven weeks of the 2026 season, the team has allowed its drivers to compete against each other, with Antonelli winning five races and Russell one.
Steiner stated: “Kimi is the one who stands out as the favorite. If Ferrari’s performance is just an isolated incident in Barcelona, Mercedes will continue to let their drivers race. But if Ferrari’s trend continues, I am sure Toto will not wait and will implement team orders, to avoid missing a championship opportunity.”
Upcoming races and the championship landscape
Antonelli, with a dominant start to the season, is already the youngest driver to lead the championship, sitting 41 points ahead of Hamilton. However, Russell is not far behind, with only a nine-point deficit to the seven-time champion.
The next big challenge is the Austrian Grand Prix, which will take place from June 26 to 28 at the Red Bull Ring circuit. The possibility that Ferrari becomes a real competitor to Mercedes promises to add more excitement to the competition.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
