Jonas Leo
Max Verstappen, the reigning four-time Formula 1 World Champion, has voiced significant praise for Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, highlighting the 19-year-old Italian’s "impressive" late-season form in what has been a rollercoaster debut year in motorsport’s premier category. Verstappen’s commendation comes as Antonelli has steadily overcome early-season inconsistencies to deliver a series of strong performances, culminating in a remarkable recovery drive and podium finish at the recent Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Antonelli’s 2025 campaign, eagerly anticipated by many within the F1 paddock due to his rapid ascent through the junior ranks, began with a mixture of raw talent and the inevitable learning curve associated with a teenage debutant. The young Italian, a product of the revered Mercedes-Benz Junior Programme, quickly demonstrated his inherent speed, securing five points finishes within his initial six Grand Prix appearances. This early momentum was underscored by a stunning sprint pole position achieved at the iconic Miami International Autodrome, a feat that immediately placed him in the spotlight as a potential future star. His aggressive driving style and ability to extract pace from the W16 car, often described as challenging, drew early comparisons to other prodigious talents who had entered the sport at a young age.
However, the relentless demands of Formula 1 soon exposed the challenges inherent in a rookie season. Following his strong start, Antonelli endured a testing mid-season spell, registering just a single points score – a commendable third-place finish at the Canadian Grand Prix – across the subsequent seven races. This period was characterized by a struggle for consistent performance, punctuated by what some observers deemed "needless mistakes." A notable incident occurred during practice for the Dutch Grand Prix, where Antonelli ran off track, underscoring the fine margins between brilliance and error that often define a rookie’s journey. Such incidents, while part of the learning process, briefly tempered the high expectations that had been placed upon him. Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff had publicly acknowledged the pressures on Antonelli, emphasizing patience and support as the young driver adapted to the pinnacle of motorsport.
Despite these mid-season tribulations, Antonelli has displayed remarkable resilience and an ability to learn quickly, turning his fortunes around dramatically in the latter stages of the championship. The past few races have seen a significant uplift in his performance, with the Italian securing podium finishes in his last three outings. This impressive streak began with a second-place finish in both the sprint and main race at the Brazilian Grand Prix, showcasing improved race management and tire preservation. These results not only boosted Antonelli’s individual standing but also provided crucial points for Mercedes, who have been locked in a tight battle for third place in the Constructors’ Championship against rivals like McLaren and Aston Martin.
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The climax of this resurgence arrived at the Las Vegas Grand Prix last weekend, where Antonelli delivered arguably his most impressive performance of the season. Starting from a challenging 17th position on the grid after a difficult qualifying session, he executed a brilliant recovery drive, meticulously navigating the high-speed street circuit and managing his tires with seasoned precision. He crossed the finish line in fourth place, a testament to his strategic acumen and sustained pace. The post-race classifications, however, saw his position fluctuate further. A five-second penalty for a jump start demoted him to fifth, but a subsequent double disqualification of both McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, elevated Antonelli to a final third-place finish, securing his third consecutive podium. This result marked a significant milestone, solidifying his reputation as a driver capable of seizing opportunities even under adverse circumstances.
It was immediately following the Las Vegas race that the interaction between Antonelli and Verstappen occurred. The young Italian approached the race winner, Verstappen, to inform him of his final classification. Verstappen, known for his intense focus and competitive spirit, responded with a laugh and a reassuring thumbs-up, a clear sign of acknowledgment and respect for Antonelli’s achievement.
Speaking ahead of the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix, Verstappen was asked about this moment and his general assessment of Antonelli’s rookie season. "Yeah, very good," Verstappen stated, reflecting on Antonelli’s Vegas performance. "I was of course doing my own race and it was always just between myself, Lando [Norris] and George [Russell for Vegas victory], so I didn’t really pay a lot of attention to what was happening behind that. But when he told me that, I was like ‘wow, that’s really good’ and then of course I saw also the way that he did it to keep the tyres alive. I think he did an incredible stint even compared to George in the same car."
Verstappen elaborated on the factors that made Antonelli’s recent performances particularly noteworthy. "So he’s been performing really well and he’s been performing really well on tracks that he didn’t know. So that’s even more impressive I would say." This observation highlights Antonelli’s adaptability, a crucial trait for any aspiring F1 champion, especially in a calendar featuring diverse and often new circuits. Verstappen, who himself debuted in F1 at the tender age of 17, also offered an insight into Antonelli’s earlier struggles, suggesting a natural evolution in approach. "And it’s something that I personally wasn’t too surprised about that he would do. I think you just need to let it happen. Don’t over drive or force it too much and maybe that was happening earlier in the season. I’m happy for him. It’s great to see and I hope that it can continue in that way."
The parallels between Verstappen’s and Antonelli’s careers are indeed striking. Both drivers were fast-tracked into Formula 1 as teenagers, bypassing traditional development paths, and both displayed undeniable raw pace that, in their formative years, was occasionally overshadowed by high-profile mistakes. Verstappen’s own rookie season with Toro Rosso in 2015 was marked by audacious overtakes and moments of brilliance, alongside some youthful errors, before he matured into the dominant force he is today. This shared experience may explain why Verstappen has often adopted a somewhat mentoring stance towards Antonelli, offering support and perspective during challenging moments.
A notable instance of this dynamic occurred at the Austrian Grand Prix earlier in the season, where Antonelli was involved in a lap-one incident that saw him make contact with Verstappen’s Red Bull car. Despite the on-track mishap, Verstappen was reportedly seen offering words of encouragement to the young Mercedes driver afterward, a gesture that underscores his understanding of a rookie’s journey.
Their competitive paths also intersected directly at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where Verstappen applied immense pressure on Antonelli in the closing stages of the race. Despite the experienced champion’s relentless pursuit, the Italian demonstrated exceptional composure and defensive driving to withstand the attack and maintain his second position. "Brazil, yeah good," Verstappen recalled of the intense battle. "Of course I was pushing as hard as I could to get by, tried to put him under pressure, but unfortunately I would say one lap short. That’s how racing is, right? You cannot say that an extra lap is needed. But again that was a very strong performance from his side."
Currently sitting seventh in the Drivers’ Championship with 118 points, Antonelli’s rookie season has been a testament to his potential and resilience. His recent surge of form, highlighted by the praise from a driver of Verstappen’s caliber, suggests a turning point in his development. With two races remaining in the 2025 season, Antonelli will be keen to consolidate his progress and continue to build momentum, positioning himself as a formidable talent for Mercedes in the seasons to come. His journey, marked by both the highs of immediate success and the lows of rookie errors, serves as a compelling narrative in the ever-evolving landscape of Formula 1.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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