F1 | Ecclestone has no doubts: “The 2026 title will be between Antonelli and Verstappen”
Bernie Ecclestone believes the 2026 Formula 1 world championship fight will ultimately come down to just two drivers: Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen.
The former Formula 1 chief has effectively ruled out the rest of the current contenders, identifying the Mercedes rising star and the four-time world champion as the standout favorites to battle for this year’s crown.
Kimi Antonelli has been enjoying a sensational 2026 campaign so far, continuing the impressive momentum he already built during the second half of the 2025 season. The young Italian has made a stunning start to the new year, claiming three consecutive pole positions and three straight victories, a run that has propelled him to the top of the drivers’ championship standings ahead of his Mercedes teammate George Russell.
Bernie Ecclestone also pointed to encouraging signs from Red Bull in Miami, where Max Verstappen showed significantly stronger race pace following the team’s latest upgrade package for the RB22.
Despite suffering a spin during the early stages of the race, the Dutch driver still demonstrated that Red Bull may have turned a corner after a difficult phase earlier in the season.
“Antonelli or Verstappen will be world champion. Red Bull seems to have overcome its difficult moment. Max has switched back on, and when that happens, he becomes dangerous.”
As the season progresses, the dual narrative of Antonelli’s meteoric rise and Verstappen’s technical fightback is setting the stage for one of the most compelling championship duels in recent memory. Whether the Italian’s momentum can withstand the pressure of a resurgent Red Bull remains to be seen, but with Ecclestone’s endorsement, the spotlight is firmly fixed on this cross-generational rivalry as the grid heads into the next phase of the 2026 calendar.
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