Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko has backed Andrea Kimi Antonelli to contend for the Formula 1 World Championship, stating that the Mercedes driver “now he can win the World Championship,” according to GP Today.
Marko’s assessment of Antonelli comes during the Italian’s rookie season with Mercedes in 2026, a year marked by sweeping technical regulations that have reshuffled the competitive order. Antonelli joined Mercedes this season after a rapid ascent through the junior categories, replacing Lewis Hamilton, who moved to Ferrari for 2025.
Antonelli’s Path to Mercedes
Antonelli was fast-tracked through Formula 2, where he competed in 2024 before being promoted to the Mercedes F1 seat for 2026. The decision to elevate him skipped the traditional waiting period many rookies face, reflecting Mercedes’ confidence in his ability and the team’s need to fill the vacancy created by Hamilton’s departure.
The 2026 regulations represent a major reset in Formula 1, with new chassis designs, power units that derive approximately 50 percent of their output from electric components, and active aerodynamics. These changes have created opportunities for teams and drivers to establish themselves in a new competitive landscape, as the performance hierarchy from previous seasons does not automatically carry over.
Marko’s Track Record Evaluating Young Talent
Marko has spent decades identifying and developing drivers through Red Bull’s junior program, with Max Verstappen the most successful product of that system. His willingness to publicly endorse a rival team’s driver is notable, as Marko typically reserves his assessments for Red Bull’s own roster or direct competitors to Red Bull drivers.
The statement suggests Marko sees Antonelli as a genuine threat in the championship fight, which would require Mercedes to have produced a competitive car under the new regulations. Mercedes struggled relative to Red Bull and Ferrari during portions of the 2024 and 2025 seasons, making the team’s competitiveness in 2026 a key variable in whether Antonelli can capitalize on the potential Marko identifies.
Antonelli’s teammate at Mercedes is George Russell, who has been with the team since 2022 and has multiple race wins. The internal dynamic between Russell and Antonelli will be a factor in any title challenge, as Mercedes will need to manage both drivers while maximizing points in the constructors’ championship.
Whether Antonelli can deliver on Marko’s prediction depends on Mercedes’ performance in the opening rounds of the 2026 season and the Italian’s ability to adapt to the technical demands of the new regulations while competing against Verstappen, Hamilton, Leclerc, Norris, and the rest of the grid. The first race of the 2026 season will provide the initial data on whether Marko’s assessment is grounded in Mercedes’ actual pace or premature optimism.