Max Verstappen has talked candidly about how impressed he has been with Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s debut season in Formula 1, giving high praise to the Italian rookie.
Antonelli scored his first-ever F1 podium at the Canadian Grand Prix last week, taking third place just behind Verstappen.
The 18-year-old sits in seventh place in the Drivers’ Championship, his maiden top-three finish ending a difficult spell for him, having completed the European triple-header with no points.
Verstappen, who rose to prominence at the same age, during which time he took his first-ever F1 win, said Antonelli’s rise has not been a shock for him and gave high praise.
“For me, it’s not a surprise,” he told media including Motorsport Week. “I knew Kimi coming up through the karting ranks – people were already saying great things. So I was keeping an eye on him.
“I think what’s impressive is he’s naturally quick. What I like is his level-headed, calm approach. Those are great qualities to have. I was never in doubt that the podium would come this year.
“He had a few unlucky races – one of them in the Sprint was also my fault with the pit stop. But it was just a matter of time.
“I’m very happy that it happened for him. It gives you more confidence. It’s a nice boost. And it will only get better. You’re in your rookie season – there’s so many things that will come at you. You learn from the weaker races, you learn from the good ones.
“In the coming years, for sure, we’ll see a lot more of Kimi.”
Antonelli ‘definitely inspired’ by Verstappen
Antonelli praised team-mate and race-winner George Russell for his help throughout his nascent steps into F1, saying the result was “down to George”, but also reserved kind words for Verstappen.
He labelled Verstappen as a rolemodel for himself, and said the knowledge of racing in F1 against the other drivers who have also made it there is a driving factor in his growth.
“Racing in F1 with the 19 other best drivers on the grid gives you a lot of motivation,” he told media including Motorsport Week. “Having the chance to race at your best and show what you’re capable of is a great boost.
“Of course, seeing what Max has done over the years, especially in his rookie years, was quite astonishing. So definitely he’s a model who I get inspired by. But at the end, racing against the best is a great chance.”
READ MORE – Kimi Antonelli credits George Russell’s influence after scoring first F1 podium
