Kimi Antonelli eyes 'super cool' endurance pairing with Max Verstappen

Mercedes F1 junior driver Kimi Antonelli has expressed a strong desire to team up with reigning world champion Max Verstappen for a future endurance race, calling the potential duo "a really cool pair." The 18-year-old Italian, whose father runs a successful GT racing team, shares Verstappen's passion for sports car competition and sees a natural fit for a collaboration.

Why it matters:

This highlights a growing trend of current F1 stars actively seeking competition in other major motorsport disciplines for pure enjoyment and challenge. Verstappen's planned Nürburgring 24-hour debut this year has already signaled this shift, and Antonelli's comments show the appeal extends to the next generation of drivers. It underscores how GT and endurance racing serves as a compelling outlet for drivers constrained by the specific demands of modern F1 regulations.

The details:

• Antonelli's ambition stems from a shared passion for GT racing, fueled on his side by his father Marco's long-time involvement as a team owner in the sport.
• He confirmed he has already requested to test a car on the legendary Nordschleife circuit, a track he loves, indicating his interest is active and not just theoretical.
• Verstappen is set to make his 24-hour race debut at the Nürburgring later this year, driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 for his own Verstappen Racing team.
• Antonelli acknowledged he will be watching Verstappen's Nürburgring attempt closely, calling it "a really cool event."

What's next:

While an immediate team-up is unlikely given Antonelli's focus on his rookie F1 campaign with Mercedes, the foundation for a future partnership is clearly there. Both drivers have a genuine interest in the discipline, and Antonelli's family ties to GT racing provide a natural bridge. If Antonelli establishes himself in F1 and Verstappen continues his endurance adventures, this "super cool" pairing could transition from a fun idea to a reality in the coming years.