Verstappen Sees Himself in 'Talented' Antonelli, Urges Patience

Verstappen Sees Himself in 'Talented' Antonelli, Urges PatienceMax Verstappen has backed Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, seeing his own aggressive style in the Italian. He urged patience for Antonelli's turbulent F1 debut, which includes a podium but also significant errors.### Why it matters:A rare endorsement from a four-time world champion like Verstappen highlights belief in Antonelli's raw talent. His comparison to his own "all-or-nothing" approach underscores the immense pressure on the 19-year-old.### The big picture:Antonelli's rookie season is a rollercoaster: a Canadian Grand Prix podium contrasted with costly mistakes, notably a lock-up in Austria impacting Verstappen. This fuels scrutiny from Mercedes.### The details:* Verstappen's View: In Monza, Verstappen stated, "Mistakes... are part of the equation." He admires Antonelli's drive: "He always gives it his all, and I see myself in him." Verstappen stressed Antonelli "just needs a little patience," noting the difficulty of starting with a top team not consistently winning.* Seat & Confidence: BBC Sport's Andrew Benson confirms Antonelli's Mercedes seat for next year is secure despite recent practice crashes. Benson noted Antonelli's strong start (Miami pole, Canadian podium) was hampered by a rear suspension change that "knocked his confidence."### What's next:Antonelli must rebuild consistency and confidence. Verstappen's emphasis on his "fighting instinct" over a flawless rookie year suggests F1 paddock figures prioritize raw potential.