Kimi Antonelli has branded Max Verstappen a "cannibal" as the Red Bull driver aims to hunt down Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the F1 drivers' championship.
The Dutchman has just three rounds to reel in the McLaren team-mates, starting this weekend with the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Piastri is within striking distance with a 25-point advantage over the four-time F1 drivers' champion, but winning a fifth consecutive crown is, at this stage, a very tall order, given Norris is 49 points to the good at the top of the standings.
Antonelli believes, nonetheless, that Verstappen cannot be written off, given that he has been the benchmark in F1 over the past few years.
The Mercedes driver recently spoke with German publication Blick, where he was asked to make a prediction for the competitive balance in the championship next year, when the power unit and chassis regulations are overhauled.
It is widely anticipated that the Brackley-based squad could again steal a march on the opposition, as it did in 2014, the last time the power unit rules were changed.
The 19-year-old sidestepped the immediate question, instead focusing on the 2025 title fight, which stands a good chance of going down to the wire in Abu Dhabi.
"No, nobody can manage that at the moment," the two-time podium finisher replied, choosing now to guess about the pecking order next term.
"Now it’s simpler: Norris is the favourite, Piastri still has chances, just like the cannibal Verstappen — because you can never write him off.
"For years, he has been the benchmark for everything."
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Everyone starts from zero
Turning back to the looming new era of F1 waiting on the other side of winter, it was put to Antonelli that the brutal reality of next year is that everyone, regardless of experience, starts from scratch.
"That’s right," the Italian driver replied with a laugh. "No one knows exactly what awaits them.
"I’m looking forward to this challenge in a different car, with a new engine. I’ve already done quite a bit of preparation.
"That could be the key factor for a successful year. Because in 2026, all drivers will have more say in energy management. This is the crucial function.
"And since it changes from race to race, it’s a huge opportunity for everyone in the fight with their rivals. But as I said: everyone starts from zero."
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