The four-time world champion did not hesitate when asked which driver had impressed him the most since the start of the season. His answer says a lot about the rise of a young prodigy.
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Although he is going through a much more difficult 2026 season than previous ones, Max Verstappen continues to watch closely what is happening ahead of him. And when it comes to naming the most convincing driver of this first half of the championship, the Dutchman did not choose Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton… nor himself.
His vote went without hesitation to Kimi Antonelli.
Leader of the world championship after eleven Grands Prix, the young Mercedes driver impresses with his consistency as much as with his speed. At only 19 years old, he has already won six races this season and holds a 50-point lead over Hamilton before the championship resumes.
Interviewed after the Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen did not hold back praise.
“If you look at the leading drivers, I think Kimi is doing a really remarkable job. He is very strong, very solid, and he is the best performer in his team.”
Verstappen: “At 19, he is impressively solid”
Beyond the raw results, it is especially the maturity of the young Italian that impresses the four-time world champion.
Verstappen recalls that Antonelli has also experienced several setbacks this season, without ever losing his consistency.
“If he keeps going like this… Of course, he has also had quite a bit of bad luck, which is unfortunate. But at 19, so far, he has been remarkably solid. It’s really impressive to see from the outside.”
The Red Bull driver knows Antonelli personally and appreciates both the man and the competitor.
“He is above all a very nice person, but also an extremely strong driver. It’s an excellent combination.”
These compliments carry even more weight as they come from the only other driver in history to have won a Grand Prix before turning 20, a feat Antonelli matched by winning in China this year.
Norris shares the same view
Lando Norris, winner in Hungary and present alongside Verstappen at the press conference, came to the same conclusion.
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For the Briton, Antonelli is today the most complete driver on the grid.
“I think you have to say Kimi, if you consider his overall work. He has an excellent car, but he does an incredible job and beats his teammate convincingly almost every weekend.”
The McLaren driver points out that a title contender must first and foremost dominate his own garage. And on this point, Antonelli is doing better than George Russell, whom he now leads by 59 points in the championship.
Norris however qualifies any direct comparison between the best drivers on the grid.
“When I have a car like today, I feel like no one can beat me. It depends a lot on the quality of the car. I just think we have three of the best Formula 1 drivers ahead of us.”
Antonelli keeps his feet on the ground
Despite his status as championship leader, Antonelli refuses to consider himself on the level of Verstappen or Norris.
The young Italian believes he has had a solid first half of the season but feels he still has a lot to learn.
“I don’t really like to judge myself, but I think I have had a good first half of the season. However, it is very difficult to compare cars. I think I still have a long way to go before reaching the level of the two drivers sitting next to me.”
A humility that contrasts with his performances. At 19, Antonelli is no longer just Mercedes’ great hope: he is now the benchmark of the 2026 championship, to the point that his main rivals themselves designate him as the strong man of this first part of the season.
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