Guenther Steiner worried about Kimi Antonelli ‘losing his cool’ when F1 title pressure increases

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Guenther Steiner has raised a psychological concern about Kimi Antonelli as the Mercedes driver builds momentum in the F1 title race.

Antonelli is now 20 points clear of teammate George Russell after winning his third successive race in Miami last weekend. After dominant victories in China and Japan, he coped with serious pressure from McLaren driver Lando Norris on Sunday.

Having already surpassed pre-season expectations, Antonelli increasingly looks like champion material, but as Steiner explained on the Red Flags podcast, he isn’t entirely battle-tested yet.

Guenther Steiner says Kimi Antonelli could suffer Oscar Piastri fate

Steiner has been impressed by Antonelli’s attitude up to this point but fears that the 19-year-old could lose his composure if he faces adversity later in the year.

He made a comparison with Oscar Piastri, who led the championship by 34 points with 10 rounds to go last season but ultimately finished third. Shortly after a hugely controversial team orders call went against him at Monza, Piastri crashed twice in Azerbaijan.

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The Australian’s championship bid would slowly unravel in the races that followed, with more experienced teammate Norris peaking during the run-in. Piastri has admitted that the fallout from the Italian GP slightly distracted him at Baku.

While Antonelli is only in his second F1 season (2025 was Piastri’s third), comparisons between the two scenarios are inevitable.

Asked if the championship was already Antonelli’s to lose, he said: “He still needs to win it. He’s showing all the signs of not being bothered by it.

• READ MORE: F1 paddock figures felt Toto Wolff ‘goofed spectacularly’ by signing Kimi Antonelli for Mercedes

“The thing that I mostly fear is that maybe he’s got some issues, then loses his cool, a little bit like Oscar did last year.

“He was well in command before the summer break, and then after the summer break, two things happened which he didn’t like and he lost the championship.”

Why Guenther Steiner’s concerns about Kimi Antonelli are justified

F1 has never had a teenage world champion, partly because some of the sport’s most talented drivers have had to wait for a suitable car.

Antonelli increasingly looks like a once-in-a-generation driver, justifying Mercedes’ decision to give him Lewis Hamilton’s seat after initial scepticism in the paddock, but he still has a lot to learn, which is entirely understandable.

24 hours before his impressive Miami GP performance, Antonelli picked up a ‘silly’ track limits penalty that cost him points in the Sprint race. He admitted afterwards that frustration got the better of him after a poor start.

Toto Wolff also suggested that Antonelli became overconfident at the end of Grand Prix qualifying, which is why he locked up his tyres on his second lap. He held on to pole position, but it seems Wolff would prefer a more measured approach.

Given the small glimpses of immaturity, to be expected at this stage of his career, Steiner’s concerns are justified. Assuming Mercedes don’t drop off dramatically, Antonelli’s ability to cope with pressure will be put to the test come the autumn.