Max Verstappen Praises Kimi Antonelli: 'I Could See That Coming'

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has offered unreserved praise for Kimi Antonelli’s stunning second season, insisting he always saw this level of performance coming. After a difficult rookie campaign with Mercedes in 2025, Antonelli has flipped the script by winning five of the opening seven grands prix in 2026.

Why it matters:

Antonelli’s surge gives Mercedes its first true championship contender in years and suggests Formula 1’s next generation is arriving faster than expected. Verstappen’s endorsement carries real weight because the Red Bull driver rarely praises direct rivals, signaling that the paddock views Antonelli as a lasting force.

The details:

• Antonelli leads the drivers’ standings by 41 points, though his margin shrank after an unexpected retirement in Barcelona halted a dominant run.
• Verstappen singled out Antonelli’s consistency at a young age as “very impressive,” noting that finding that rhythm so early is anything but guaranteed.
• The four-time champion pointed to Monaco qualifying as a defining moment, stating that delivering under immense pressure at that age is “quite tough” and speaks to real mental fortitude.
• According to Verstappen, the key difference between Antonelli and other touted rookies is his ability to learn from mistakes. He argued that rookie errors are expected, but the Italian’s response to them sets him apart.
• Verstappen also dismissed comparisons to past stars, advising Antonelli to “be your own star” and forge a unique identity rather than copy predecessors.

The big picture:

With Antonelli already proving he can handle the spotlight, 2026 is shaping up as a potential torch-passing year. If he maintains this form through the summer, the championship fight may evolve into a fascinating generational showdown between Mercedes’ rising ace and Red Bull’s established champion.