Steiner Hails Wolff's Hands-Off Approach as Mercedes Drivers Clash in Canada

Guenther Steiner has praised Toto Wolff for allowing George Russell and Kimi Antonelli to race hard during the Canadian Grand Prix, despite heated intra-team tensions. The former Haas team principal described Wolff's decision to stay out of the battle as "remarkable" and named him his "rockstar" of the week. Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, Steiner noted the stress it must have caused Wolff, joking that the real rockstar might be the person cleaning his pants. Mercedes has dominated the 2026 F1 season under new regulations, with Antonelli winning every race since Australia except the opener, which Russell took.

Why it matters:

Wolff's hands-off approach signals a new era for Mercedes, where young talent Antonelli is allowed to challenge established driver Russell without immediate team orders. This strategy could strengthen the team's competitiveness but risks a damaging collision if the rivalry escalates. It reflects a broader shift in F1 team management, prioritizing driver freedom over control.

The details:

• The Canadian Grand Prix weekend offered the first glimpse of a tense intra-team battle. In the sprint race, Antonelli fumed on team radio that Russell had forced him off the track, yet Wolff did not intervene.
• Steiner commended the restraint: "Toto let them race. He didn't interfere, didn't say anything, just let them out there. Fair play to him."
• The grand prix saw Russell and Antonelli fight fiercely for 30 laps before Russell was forced to retire. Steiner believes without the retirement, a crash was likely.
• Steiner speculated that the drivers spoke privately but it didn't calm tensions: "On Sunday, they were at each other like on Saturday."
• Antonelli has become the youngest driver to lead the championship after winning four consecutive races (China, Japan, Miami, Canada), cementing his status as a future star.

What's next:

Mercedes' internal rivalry will be a key storyline for the remainder of the season. With a dominant car, both drivers will push for wins. Wolff's willingness to let them race could continue, but the team may need to establish clear boundaries if the competition becomes destructive. The next races will test whether Mercedes can manage both drivers' ambitions without compromising their title bid.