BREAKING:Mercedes’ 2025 Success Flying Under the Radar after Lewis Hamilton’s…read more
Mercedes’ 2025 Success Flying Under the Radar after Lewis Hamilton’s Exit
Guenther Steiner suggests Mercedes’ competitive season is being eclipsed by the media focus on Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari switch
While all eyes have been on Lewis Hamilton’s high-profile transition to Ferrari, Mercedes has been quietly putting together one of their strongest campaigns in recent years – a fact former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner claims isn’t getting due attention.
Hamilton’s Legacy Overshadows Mercedes’ Revival
The departure of the seven-time champion, who activated an exit clause to fulfill his Ferrari dream, has seemingly diverted attention from Mercedes’ impressive rebuild. New team leader George Russell has notched consecutive podiums, while rookie sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli has shown remarkable consistency with multiple top-six finishes.
Their combined efforts have propelled Mercedes to a comfortable second in the constructors’ championship, establishing a 19-point buffer over third-placed Red Bull. Yet Steiner observes the team isn’t receiving its deserved recognition.
“Mercedes are executing at a high level,” Steiner noted on The Red Flags Podcast. “While they’re not matching McLaren’s pace, their achievements are going largely unreported. The narrative remains fixated on Hamilton’s Ferrari journey rather than Mercedes’ actual performance – that’s the power of his star quality.”
Rookie Development Key to Mercedes’ Ascent
Steiner acknowledged that while Antonelli shows tremendous promise, the young Italian’s adaptation period presents a temporary limitation for the team.
“There’s no question they currently have the second-best package,”bSteiner analyzed. “Russell is delivering as expected, but Antonelli’s learning curve means they’re not yet operating at full potential. The machinery is clearly there – they just need their rookie to find his footing.”
The outspoken former team boss concluded with an optimistic outlook: “The speed flashes we’ve seen suggest they’re close to making that next step. Once everything clicks, they’ll be right in the mix.”
As the season progresses, Steiner’s comments highlight an intriguing subplot – whether Mercedes can emerge from Hamilton’s shadow and reclaim center stage on merit.
