Horner says Antonelli has earned leading status at Mercedes

Christian Horner says Kimi Antonelli has earned a leading position at Mercedes through his performances on track. If a close title fight develops with a driver from another team, Horner says, Mercedes may need to back him.

Horner was describing a possible team choice, not saying Mercedes had formally named Antonelli its number-one driver. In an interview with Autosport, he argued that drivers should begin with equal chances and equipment, then earn their status on track. He believes Antonelli has done that.

Horner made that choice conditional. Antonelli leads teammate George Russell, who is second, by 102 points with six rounds remaining in the 2026 season. The 20-year-old has 14 podiums, including eight wins, in his second F1 season and can clinch the title in Austin at the next race.

The view reflects Horner's Red Bull years. As team boss from 2005 to 2025, he often favoured a leading driver, first Sebastian Vettel and then Max Verstappen; both won four world titles. Horner cited Williams in 1986, when the team won the constructors' championship with Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet, but McLaren's Alain Prost claimed the drivers' crown. He argued that a team risks losing the title if it fails to take a position when an outside rival is in contention. For Horner, the team's championship interest comes before keeping both drivers happy.