Steiner Suggests Russell Could Eye Audi Move in 2028

Guenther Steiner has ignited the 2028 driver market by suggesting George Russell could look to escape Mercedes if his partnership with runaway championship leader Kimi Antonelli becomes untenable. With Formula 1 in its summer lull, the former Haas team principal claims the Briton is already weighing alternatives to a future spent in the shadow of his sensational teammate.

Why it matters:

Russell entered 2026 as Mercedes' established spearhead, but Antonelli's explosive start has flipped the internal hierarchy. The Italian rookie sits atop the standings with 219 points, leaving Russell 59 points adrift and raising serious questions about whether Brackley still offers a path to a title. If Russell concludes his window to lead the Silver Arrows has closed, Audi's factory project could provide the fresh start and undisputed number-one status he needs.

The details:

• Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, Steiner claimed "quite a few candidates" are circling Audi for 2028, naming Carlos Sainz and adding that Russell is "looking around" rather than committing to a future alongside Antonelli.
• Audi completed its full Sauber takeover ahead of the 2026 season and has since assembled a heavyweight structure led by Mattia Binotto, backed by Volkswagen Group resources and a power unit program dating back to 2022.
• Despite Toto Wolff locking in Russell and Antonelli for 2027, the points gap and on-track dynamic suggest the Briton faces an uphill fight to reassert himself as Mercedes' primary championship hope.
• Steiner argued Russell "doesn't want to stay with Kimi for the rest of his life," implying the 28-year-old is calculating whether Brackley can still offer a throne or merely a supporting role.

What's next:

The 2028 silly season is shaping up to be a high-stakes chess match. Russell must decide whether to trust in a Mercedes resurgence or gamble on Audi's upward trajectory. With Sainz also in the frame and Audi's project maturing, the German marque could soon have its pick of elite talent. For Russell, the question is whether a leap to Ingolstadt offers the championship platform that Brackley no longer guarantees.