Four-time world champion Max Verstappen highlighted Kimi Antonelli’s growth in Formula 1 and stated that the young Mercedes driver’s talent was already evident from the junior categories. After a debut season in 2025 marked by four retirements and mid-season difficulties, Antonelli has won six races this season and leads the drivers’ championship, with a 50-point advantage over Lewis Hamilton.
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For Verstappen, the young driver’s performance is no surprise. The Dutchman said he noticed Antonelli’s potential back in karting, when he was already standing out among big names in the category: “When he was still in karting, you could already see he was one of the standout talents,” Verstappen said.
The Red Bull driver also emphasized the importance of Antonelli’s preparation before arriving in Formula 1, highlighting the experience gained in categories with gearboxes. “In his first race, he already stood out among the big names in karting. At that young age, you can see that raw talent, and then it simply continued in the cars.”
According to Verstappen, the evolution shown by Antonelli in his second season with Mercedes follows the natural development of a top-level driver. He said he already expected a significant improvement after the debut year: “But for me, there was never any doubt that he would take a leap the following year and already be much more consistently competitive.”
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The four-time world champion also recalled that making mistakes in the first year is part of the adaptation process to the category. “He also made a very quick transition to F1, and it’s normal that in your first year you make some mistakes. I think we all made them.”
Verstappen also highlighted the current moment of the Italian and praised the work done by the Mercedes driver. “In his debut season it can be quite difficult, but at the moment, of course, he is doing an incredible job.”
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