(Motorsport-Total.com) – According to former Haas team principal Günther Steiner, young Formula 1 drivers have so far had fewer problems getting used to the new rules surrounding battery management and co. than the old guard. The author and TV expert explained this adaptation process in more detail in the podcast Drive to Wynn.
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Regarding young drivers, Steiner is very impressed: “Look, we were all excited about it, but I believe they can simply adapt better to the new technology,” says Steiner. “They adapt faster and better to these new technologies because they are still fresh. There are no bad habits they have to unlearn.”
2026 represents a huge break in terms of driving style for Formula 1 drivers. Due to the new engines, drivers are forced to drive less by instinct and more according to the engineer’s specifications and the power unit. Charles Leclerc, for example, complained about this after qualifying in Japan.
The new PlayStation generation
Steiner also sees the current generation clearly at an advantage due to their upbringing with modern technology: “Everything is constantly evolving. And when Max [Verstappen] and his generation started, they were called PlayStation drivers. They can handle it. And now we have the next generation of drivers who can use this technology so much better because they grew up with more technology.”
As a prime example, Steiner cites the comparison between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Although the Brit was considered a top favorite before the season, the 28-year-old currently has to come to terms with the idea of an internal team championship duel.
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Steiner adds: “Before this season, George was the top favorite for me. Even before the tests. That was George Russell’s big moment. But then these new cars came, and while George first has to shed some old habits, Kimi has no old habits he would have to shed.”
“He can simply drive the car, while others have to say goodbye to the ground effect,” Steiner continues. “The ground effect is no longer there. And I believe that if you’ve driven ground-effect cars for five years as a racing driver, you can’t just switch overnight and say, ‘Okay, this is different now, I’ll adapt.’ You will always fall back into some old patterns.”
Antonelli, in particular, is currently convincing as the spearhead of the new generation. The 19-year-old Mercedes driver currently leads the overall World Championship standings as the youngest Formula 1 driver of all time and has already secured two victories this year. The winner’s trophy went to the Mercedes prodigy in both China and Japan.
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