Max Verstappen has made a dramatic admission about Kimi Antonelli as the young Italian continues to dominate the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Verstappen and Red Bull have not featured at the front in the battle in 2026, with Red Bull enduring a sluggish start under F1’s new technical regulations.
The four-time world champion currently lies a distant eighth in the standings, 113 points behind runaway leader Kimi Antonelli.
Starting alongside the young Italian in Monaco, he retired on the first lap after a power unit issue on the grid, denying viewers a battle between F1’s new in-form driver and Verstappen’s experience.
Verstappen has made a dramatic admission about Antonelli, lavishing him with praise after he took his fourth consecutive Grand Prix win in Monte-Carlo.
“Yeah, for sure,” he confirmed when asked if Antonelli was world champion material.
” I think you see a few guys grow up from younger categories that have something special and when they switch categories, they are immediately quick.
“I think that was quite clear with Kimi, so that was not a surprise.”
Max Verstappen details Kimi Antonelli’s strengths
Verstappen then highlighted what he called the factors that need to come together in order for a driver to put together a title run.
But then, of course, when you get to Formula 1, it’s not only talent. Things have to come together.
“You need to become a more all-around driver and then, of course, you need to have the package to be able to do it.
“But I think this year he’s showing that once he has a package that can do it, he is delivering as a driver. So that’s great to see and that’s what he has to do.”
Antonelli is continuing to enjoy acclaim for his performances in 2026, but with this comes increased pressure and scrutiny.
Verstappen’s praise is the clearest indication yet that a changing of the guard is underway in the sport, as the new generation finds its place at the top of F1’s competitive order.
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