Andrea Stella has been impressed with Kimi Antonelli’s begin to the 2026 F1 season, however believes McLaren has the motive force line-up able to profitable the constructors’ championship.
Antonelli received three of the opening 4 races and raced into the race with an astonishing 20-point lead over his Mercedes teammate and pre-season title favourite George Russell.
The 19-year-old Italian secured a historic hat-trick of victories on the final Miami Grand Prix, additional strengthening his benefit over Russell on the prime of the drivers’ standings.
McLaren staff boss Stella has confirmed that he expects Russell to dominate at Mercedes in 2026.
“I believe it’s best to actually consider the standard of his driving, his consistency, his pace, each in a lap of the race and his total efficiency. We should always actually consider what Kimi is exhibiting, how he is really acting on monitor,” Stella advised the media, together with the media. crash web.
“I assumed George (Russell) was in a stronger place after the take a look at, which was the case up till Australia, however for some cause issues appear to have rotated. I believe once more, that is all the way down to the great work you’ve got accomplished with the engineers and the folks round you.”
“There are at all times lots of people across the driver and it is this synergy that creates success. I am certain Kimi has all these circumstances in place. Effectively accomplished to you, properly accomplished to Mercedes.”
McLaren emerged as Mercedes’ closest rivals in Miami because of a serious improve package deal, with the reigning world champions bouncing again from early season difficulties to make sure the staff a double podium end.
McLaren are third within the constructors’ championship with 94 factors, 86 factors behind championship leaders Mercedes.
Regardless of a rocky begin to the 12 months, Stella insists the staff has the strongest driver duo on the F1 grid in Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
“I believe we now have seen that Oscar is able to battle for wins once more and get on the rostrum in Japan, which isn’t but aggressive for McLaren,” mentioned the Italian.
“Oscar secured a podium end right here and Lando took one win right here within the dash and battle for the win.
“I believe we’re most likely the strongest pairing from a driver perspective, particularly in the event you have a look at the constructors’ championship. We wish to make the most of this power we now have at McLaren, however we have to make the automobile slightly bit quicker.”
