Both considered “the new big thing of Formula 1” since they were young, Verstappen and Antonelli’s paths intertwine many times.
Max Verstappen and Andrea Kimi Antonelli have many similarities in their careers, and it seems like they could have more in the future in F1. Both were identified as future stars at a young age and were raised by important figures in motorsport. The paths of the Italian and Dutch drivers seem to interconnect by a common thread.
Max Verstappen and Antonelli are nine years apart. When Max started racing karts at the age of four, Antonelli hadn’t been born yet. In 2006 Max won his second Mini Junior Championship in Belgium, while Antonelli was born in Bologna, Italy. Kimi’s father, Marco Antonelli, is a former racing driver and now owner of his team, AKM Motorsport. Max’s father, Jos Verstappen, also raced in Formula 1 but later focused on training his son.
Verstappen’s career: Skipping F2 to race in F1
After the go-kart championships, the two talented drivers went on different paths. In 2014, Verstappen joined Van Amersfoort Racing, and at just 16 years old, he raced in his first single-seater championship. He demonstrated his talent and abilities to noteworthy observers. From the start, he showed a lot of determination and a strong desire to win. While racing in Formula 3, he achieved ten wins but fell short of winning the championship. His talent was acknowledged by Helmut Marko, who took him under his wing and encouraged him to get to Formula 1.
In 2015, the young Dutch driver began his career in Formula 1, setting numerous records. Since his debut with Toro Rosso, Max Verstappen achieved 61 victories, 40 pole positions, and secured 3 world championships. His name now stands alongside some of the greats in Formula 1 and motorsport in general. At just 17 years old, his debut in F1 was a big gamble that the Austrian team decided to fully embrace.
Antonelli’s career: From FRECA to F2
Nine years after the Dutch driver’s debut, another name is in everyone’s mouth when talking about F1’s future. That name is Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Star of the Mercedes Junior Team, raised in Prema since a young age, Antonelli has garnered attention for his impressive talent in the junior racing series. He has secured numerous kart championships, and his most notable achievement came with his debut in a single-seater. He clinched the Italian Formula 4 Championship with an unbeaten record of 13 victories in a single season. Throughout his career in various racing series, Antonelli has consistently achieved at least one win in each competition. His ability to quickly adapt to new cars, overtake on the limit, and make impressive fast laps, are added to his unwavering determination that marked his career in the feeder series.
Mercedes’ new star for the future
The Italian’s talent did not go unnoticed. In 2019, when he was still racing in karts, Antonelli was chosen by Toto Wolff as the new member of Mercedes F1 junior team. Since then, the team principal has decided to keep the young driver close to him and to showcase his success. After Kimi won the title in FRECA his career path took an interesting turn. In August 2023 it was announced that the Italian would skip Formula 3 to race in Formula 2.
Considering Antonelli’s talent and the favourable conditions for his debut, it did not seem like a random decision. And indeed it was not. With two wins, one in wet conditions and the other in dry, Kimi Antonelli currently sits in seventh position in the championship.
There is more to come. Strong rumours suggest he could race in Formula 1 with Mercedes next year. An agreement seems to have been reached, and the announcement should be made soon.
Meanwhile, on the Friday of the Italian GP, Andrea Kimi Antonelli will take part in his first FP1 in Formula 1, driving Russell’s W15. This is an impressive milestone considering that just a year ago he was racing in FRECA.
A common thread between Verstappen and Antonelli
What is so similar between a Dutch driver, born nine years earlier, who has been part of the Red Bull family for many years, and an Italian boy, just 18 years old, discovered by Mercedes?
Both Verstappen and Antonelli took unconventional paths in their careers. They were considered “too talented” for lower-level series and skipped important steps taken by other drivers. However, it did not seem to destabilize them. The Dutchman quickly adapted from karts to Formula 3 and then F1. Antonelli, despite having a lot of practice in the junior categories, had to adjust to a new car in F2. Next year, he might inherit the important legacy left by Lewis Hamilton in Mercedes.
There were many speculations surrounding Verstappen’s debut in Formula 1, fueled by his impulsive nature which initially caused him some problems. However, to dominate a championship years later and outperform opponents as Max did, a great strength of spirit is required. The initial critics of Max’s early career in F1 transformed into admiration and praise for his talent after his first win in Spain in 2016.
In 2025, Kimi Antonelli might debut in F1, proudly representing Italy. Toto Wolff, who missed the opportunity to sign Verstappen for Mercedes years ago, is confident that Kimi can showcase his talent on the track. However, there is still the looming rumour that Verstappen could join Mercedes.
“There is a press call this weekend. If the deal is done with Antonelli, then that obviously makes things that little bit more complicated, because it’s then going to be very, very hard to say, ‘Sorry, Kimi,’ we have signed a contract, but we’re thinking of maybe signing Max. I don’t know if it has been done or not with Antonelli.
Jos has said 2026 is something he and Max are focusing on. Everything has completely changed. They’ve lost their chief designer, they’ve really started to struggle.
They’re still in the mix for a race but their early season dominance has gone. McLaren and especially Lando have gone up a to the next level or two. Then you start thinking, right, where do I need to be for the future?
The rumours are that Mercedes seem to be ahead of everybody else for the 2026 rule changes. That’s the type of trigger you would think that Max and his team would be saying, ‘Maybe we need to jump.” – Johnny Herbert speaking to Poker Apps Ltd.
Both drivers, raised in different family environments seem connected by their desire to leave a mark in motorsport history. Despite being labelled as “generational talents” and “gifted boys,” they were often criticized as being a “risk too big to take”. Max Verstappen managed to change the minds of even the sceptics, breaking records and winning world championships.
Now, it will be Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s turn to confirm the expectations of those anticipating a successful F1 debut.
