Could Andrea Kimi Antonelli be forced to take a step back in his Formula 1 career before it even properly begins? According to former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya, the Italian rising star’s future may be less secure than expected, especially if the rumors about Max Verstappen joining Mercedes materialize.
The young Italian, currently seen as a long-term project for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, is being mentioned in several speculative scenarios about the 2026 grid. But if Max Verstappen leaves Red Bull Racing to join Mercedes, the consequences could be immediate and dramatic for Antonelli.
Montoya: Not Alpine, Aston Martin, or Cadillac for Antonelli
Speaking in a recent interview, Juan Pablo Montoya dismissed the idea that Kimi Antonelli might find a seat with teams such as Alpine, Aston Martin, or Cadillac if he’s sidelined by Verstappen’s arrival at Mercedes. Instead, Montoya outlined a reshuffling scenario that would directly involve Carlos Sainz as well.
“Look, if Max leaves Red Bull and Mercedes doesn’t part ways with George [Russell], then Red Bull will probably sign Carlos Sainz,” Montoya explained. “And they’ll place Kimi [Antonelli] at Williams.”
This scenario would not necessarily be a negative outcome for Antonelli, according to Montoya. The Colombian believes that a move to a less pressurized environment like Williams would allow the young Italian to grow at a more manageable pace, away from the intense spotlight and political tension that come with being in a top team—especially one potentially featuring a four-time World Champion like Max Verstappen.
Sainz to Red Bull? Only if Verstappen leaves
Montoya also stressed that Carlos Sainz could only join Red Bull Racing if Max Verstappen were to leave the Austrian team. According to the former driver, Verstappen has reportedly made it clear to Red Bull management that he does not want to share a garage with the former Ferrari driver.
Montoya explained: “The only thing is, I don’t think Max will be allowed—or has the right—to choose who his teammate is at Mercedes. That’s the one thing I don’t think he’ll get from Toto Wolff’s team. So all we can do is guess what might happen next. What will be interesting is to see whether there’s a shift or not.”
The situation highlights how Verstappen’s future could trigger a domino effect across the grid. If he were to join Mercedes, George Russell might retain his seat, pushing Antonelli out of the lineup—at least temporarily. In that case, Williams could become a strategic option for Mercedes to place the young Italian, following a path similar to the one George Russell took earlier in his career.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz—currently still a free agent for 2026—could benefit from Verstappen’s exit from Red Bull, potentially joining the Austrian team as long as the garage politics allow it.
As Formula 1 heads toward a major regulatory shift in 2026, the driver market is already heating up, and each top driver’s move has the potential to shake up the entire competitive landscape.
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