Kimi Antonelli eyes endurance race team-up with Max Verstappen

Mercedes F1 driver Kimi Antonelli has expressed a strong desire to partner with rival Max Verstappen in a future endurance race, revealing he has already requested a test on the legendary Nordschleife circuit. The 19-year-old rookie, fresh from his maiden F1 victory in China, comes from a family deeply rooted in sportscar racing, which fuels his passion for GT competition beyond Formula 1.

Why it matters:

The growing interest from top-tier F1 drivers like Verstappen and Antonelli in major endurance events highlights a shifting mindset in the pinnacle of motorsport, where specialization is increasingly blending with a passion for diverse racing challenges. A potential team-up between a Mercedes junior and a Red Bull star would also represent a rare collaboration across fierce F1 rivalries, showcasing the personal bonds and shared interests that exist between competitors off the track.

The details:

• Antonelli stated in Shanghai that teaming with Verstappen for an endurance race would be "pretty awesome," citing their mutual passion for GT racing.
• His inclination stems from his family background; his father, Marco Antonelli, is a seasoned GT and TCR driver, and Kimi himself won on his Italian GT debut with the family-run AKM Motorsport team in 2023.
• Verstappen's confirmed entry in this year's Nürburgring 24 Hours with a Mercedes-AMG GT3 has further fueled Antonelli's interest. The Red Bull driver is competing with the German manufacturer in GT3, despite the F1 rivalry.
• Antonelli has proactively asked Mercedes for a test on the Nordschleife, a track he loves but has yet to drive in real life, signaling serious intent to explore sportscar opportunities.
• Verstappen has publicly praised Antonelli's talent, stating after the Chinese GP win that he was "not surprised" and that more victories would follow.

What's next:

While both drivers' primary commitments remain in F1, the shared manufacturer connection in GT3 racing through Mercedes-AMG creates a plausible pathway for a future partnership. Antonelli's formal test request indicates this is more than just casual interest, and his family's team could provide a natural platform. As Verstappen prepares for his Nürburgring 24 Hours debut in May, all eyes will be on his performance, which could further inspire his F1 peers like Antonelli to follow suit in the world of endurance racing.