Is Kimi Antonelli the Next Max Verstappen? Or Is He Something Even Bigger?
In the world of Formula 1, true generational talents come along only once in a while. Lewis Hamilton. Sebastian Vettel. Fernando Alonso. Max Verstappen. And now—perhaps—Kimi Antonelli.
At just 18 years old, the Italian rookie has made an immediate impact with Mercedes in his debut season. He’s shown raw speed, rare composure, and the kind of racing instincts that don’t just suggest potential—they demand attention.
Which begs the question: Is Kimi Antonelli the next Max Verstappen? Or is he poised to carve out a legacy of his own?
The Mercedes Bet
Mercedes didn’t just hire a young driver. They made a statement.
With Lewis Hamilton moving on to Ferrari, the team had every opportunity to chase a proven veteran. But instead, they doubled down on youth—slotting Antonelli into one of the most pressure-packed seats in motorsport.
The gamble is paying off.
Antonelli’s performances in his first handful of races have defied expectations. From storming qualifying laps to intelligent tyre management, he has already outpaced his more experienced rivals in tricky conditions. While he hasn’t claimed a full Grand Prix win yet, he’s already secured multiple top-five finishes and stunned the paddock by becoming the youngest polesitter in F1 history in a sprint weekend.
He hasn’t just stepped up—he’s belonged.
The Verstappen Comparison: Fair or Premature?
Max Verstappen exploded onto the scene in 2015 with Toro Rosso, winning his first Grand Prix with Red Bull a year later at just 18. Aggressive, relentless, and unapologetically fast, Max changed the game for how young talent was evaluated.
Antonelli, like Verstappen, bypassed Formula 2 in favor of a fast-track to F1. Both had stellar junior records, particularly in karting and Formula Regional levels. Both have racing fathers, both are quiet in media but ruthless on track. The parallels are undeniable.
But Antonelli is more composed, less erratic in his early wheel-to-wheel battles, and already being groomed not just as a future race winner—but as the face of Mercedes’ long-term rebuild. While Verstappen made his early career on risk, Antonelli appears to be building his on precision.
That difference might define their legacies.
Inside the Garage: Why Mercedes Is All-In
Team principal Toto Wolff has made it clear: Antonelli isn’t a stopgap. He’s a multi-year project.
The team has adapted around him. Engineers speak of his feedback being “astonishingly mature.” He’s known to spend hours in the simulator post-race, studying tyre performance and telemetry. There’s a quiet authority to his presence—not loud, but unshakable.
Mercedes knows it may take time to bring the W15 and beyond back to the top of the podium. But they believe that by the time the 2026 regulations arrive, Antonelli will be the cornerstone of a new title era.
Hype vs. Substance
F1 is no stranger to young drivers saddled with impossible expectations. From Stoffel Vandoorne to Nyck de Vries, we’ve seen stars-in-the-making fizzle when reality hit.
Antonelli’s challenge is different—not just to match Verstappen, but to avoid being swallowed by the comparison.
So far, he’s passing every test. His racecraft is deliberate. His mindset is grounded. He’s earned praise not just from Mercedes insiders, but from rivals who see him as a threat despite his age.
And perhaps most importantly—he’s learning fast without breaking under the spotlight.
Our View at 99 Bends
We’ve seen many drivers light up the track early, but few with Antonelli’s balance of confidence and humility. He may not be throwing elbows into Turn 1 like a young Max, but he doesn’t need to. His approach is surgical. His growth is methodical.
Is he the next Verstappen? Maybe. But there’s also a case to be made that he could be F1’s next great original—not a copy, but a new standard altogether.
What Do You Think?
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Is Kimi Antonelli Formula 1’s next dominant force?
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Will he lead Mercedes back to title-winning form?
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Can he outgrow the Verstappen comparison and forge his own path?
Let us know your thoughts on Instagram @99bends or join us for the debate at our next sim race event.
– Keith
Director, 99 Bends Trackside Singapore
“Because every F1 era starts with a rookie who refuses to stay quiet.”