Max Verstappen heaps praise on F1 rival: 'Never a doubt'

Max Verstappen has hailed the performance of Kimi Antonelli this year following his rapid ascension to the forefront of the F1 pecking order.

The 19-year-old Mercedes driver has bagged six wins so far this year and holds a 50-point lead over Lewis Hamilton at the head of the drivers' championship.

His current position follows a 2025 rookie season that included four DNFs and a difficult mid-season run.

Having quickly been thrust into the F1 world, Verstappen stated he first noticed the Italian's early performances in senior karting categories.

“When he was still in go-karting, you could already see that he was one of the standout talents,” he said.

“You grow from the junior categories into the senior categories. What was also very impressive, and I always say that drivers should do this before they go to cars, is to at least do a few races in a shifter category to learn a bit how to use the gears, how to race and how to do starts. 

“His first race, he immediately pulled it off between the big guns in go-karting. At that young age, you can see that raw talent, and then it just continued into cars.

“He also made quite a quick jump to F1, and it’s normal that in your first year there are certain mistakes that you make. I think we all make them.”

Antonelli's position at the head of the standings has been a surprise for many, considering how early he stll is in his F1 career.

But Verstappen said Antonelli's improvement in his second season was in line with the normal development of a driver at this level.

“Of course, when you’re driving for a top team, it’s always highlighted a little bit more,” he said. 

“But for me, there was never a doubt that he would make a jump the year after and already be a lot more consistently competitive. 

“It’s normal in the progression of a driver. In your rookie season it can be quite tough, but at the moment, of course, he’s doing an amazing job.”