Max Verstappen, the current Formula 1 world champion, spoke highly of his competitor Kimi Antonelli after their recent shared podium at the Canadian Grand Prix. Verstappen highlighted Antonelli’s remarkable performance and attributed his success to the young driver’s exceptional abilities and strong racing instincts.
Young Italian Emerges as One of F1’s Brightest Prospects
At only 18 years old, Kimi Antonelli became the third-youngest driver ever to finish on an F1 podium, joining the ranks of Verstappen and Lance Stroll. Verstappen, with more than 65 grand prix victories, recognized Antonelli’s natural skill and praised his composed and measured approach during races, which he views as crucial to his advancement in the sport.
Verstappen’s Longtime Interest and Confidence in Antonelli’s Potential
The Dutch champion revealed he has monitored Antonelli’s development since his karting days and noted the widespread praise the young talent has received. Verstappen confidently remarked,
I was never in doubt that the podium would come this year,
emphasizing that despite facing challenges, Antonelli’s talent was bound to earn recognition soon.
Antonelli’s Rising Status in Formula 1
Verstappen’s endorsement of Antonelli underscores the Italian driver’s status as a significant emerging talent in Formula 1. With such high praise from a world champion, anticipation is growing around Antonelli’s future performances, signaling that he will be a driver to watch closely in the coming races of this season.
