Former Haas boss says Kimi Antonelli’s fresh slate gives him edge over George Russell under new regs
Summary
Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner argues rookie Kimi Antonelli’s lack of legacy habits gives him a clear advantage over veteran George Russell as the 2026 aerodynamic and power‑unit overhaul reshapes car handling.
title: Former Haas boss says Kimi Antonelli’s fresh slate gives him edge over George Russell under new regs
summary: Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner argues rookie Kimi Antonelli’s lack of legacy habits gives him a clear advantage over veteran George Russell as the 2026 aerodynamic and power‑unit overhaul reshapes car handling.
content: Steiner believes Antonelli’s lack of “old habits” is a decisive edge in the first year of the 2026 regulation shift, while Russell is still shedding techniques from the ground‑effect era.
Why it matters:
- In a season where every lap counts, driver adaptability can outweigh experience.
- Mercedes’ early 3‑0 run has been bolstered by Antonelli’s clean‑sheet approach, narrowing the gap to the championship leader.
The details:
- No legacy baggage – Antonelli has never driven a ground‑effect car, so he can treat the new aero package as a blank canvas.
- Russell’s habit lag – After years in Mercedes’ previous generation, Russell must unlearn braking points, corner entry speeds, and power‑unit management that no longer apply.
- Technical overhaul – 2026 regulations strip away ground‑effect aerodynamics and introduce a new hybrid power unit, forcing drivers to re‑learn grip thresholds and energy deployment.
- Steiner’s quote: “Kimi just has no old habits. George has to get rid of some habits… It’s easier for a driver who starts fresh.”
- Performance impact – Antonelli leads the drivers’ standings by nine points, a margin that Steiner attributes largely to his ability to adapt without retro‑fitting old techniques.
What’s next:
- Russell is expected to intensify simulator work and adjust his driving style before the next race weekend.
- If the Briton can shed his legacy habits quickly, the championship battle could tighten dramatically.
- Antonelli’s momentum will be tested on higher‑downforce circuits, where the new aero concepts are most demanding.
categories: Drivers, Technical, Season
Original Article :https://racingnews365.com/former-f1-team-boss-details-unusual-kimi-antonelli-adv...