Kimi Antonelli’s rookie year has been one of those seasons that keeps people talking from one race weekend to the next, as he has shown flashes of real talent mixed with moments that remind everyone that he’s still a rookie in F1.
His run to second place in Brazil was another example of how far he has come, but it also sparked fresh debate after his clash with Oscar Piastri. In the midst of all this, Max Verstappen stepped forward to offer kind and helpful advice.
Max Verstappen Steps In With Perspective
Verstappen has become one of the most respected figures in the paddock, and his voice carries weight in almost every conversation about F1 racing, as the four-time world champion made his way over to Antonelli on the Interlagos podium and offered warm congratulations, which already said plenty.
Later, when asked what advice he would give someone in Antonelli’s situation, his answer was simple: “Keep believing in yourself. In a rookie season, you go through quite an emotional rollercoaster at times. Some weekends go better than others. Sometimes you have high hopes, sometimes that doesn’t work out.”
“You make mistakes. You have good weekends but at the end of the day, that’s all part of the learning curve. You have to make mistakes also to become a better driver, even in Formula 1,” he added.
He explained that rookie seasons often feel like whirlwinds, as some weekends click and everything goes smoothly, while others turn messy, and Verstappen knows how that feels because he lived through the same highs and lows when he burst into Formula 1 as a teenager and made the point that mistakes are part of growing in the sport.
For Antonelli, hearing that from someone of Verstappen’s stature could not have come at a better time.
A Season Full of Learning Moments for Kimi Antonelli
Antonelli’s journey this year has been anything but quiet, as his opening race weekend in Australia brought a Q1 exit that stung, which was followed by a charge to fourth place under unpredictable conditions. Miami brought his first pole for a sprint race, which lifted his confidence and reminded everyone of the talent Mercedes saw in him from the beginning.
The middle part of the season turned tougher as Mercedes introduced a new rear suspension geometry that unsettled the car. Antonelli felt it more than his teammate George Russell. The lack of rear stability meant he struggled going into corners, and that frustration grew over several rounds, with Canada being the only exception, thanks to the circuit layout, where he managed to finish third behind Russell.
But Belgium became the low point as Antonelli was knocked out of Q1 in both the sprint and qualifying sessions, and Lewis Hamilton was the one who stepped in that weekend to offer support.
Once Mercedes reverted to the earlier suspension setup, Antonelli’s results started to improve again, and Brazil brought another step forward, even if the restart drama complicated the final story. Some suggested he was in the wrong gear at the launch, but the data showed a more detailed picture, as all three drivers involved were balancing the throttle and brake to keep heat in their tires.
With all of that considered, Antonelli’s rookie year has been a mix of steady growth and unavoidable rookie moments. Still, Verstappen summed it up by saying Antonelli has always shown pace in every category he has raced in, and his drive in Brazil proved what he is capable of when everything works in his favor.
As the season slowly comes to an end, Antonelli still has a lot to learn, but he also has support from people who understand exactly what he is going through, and it is clear that he has earned their respect, and that is something that will help him perform better in the coming days.
