Max Verstappen believes there is no single “secret” behind Kimi Antonelli’s extraordinary 2026 Formula 1 season, arguing that the explanation is much simpler: the Mercedes driver is simply very good. Antonelli arrives in Baku with an 81-point championship lead and eight victories from the first 14 Grands Prix.
The 20-year-old Italian has been one of the main talking points during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix media day, which was exceptionally brought forward to Wednesday. While George Russell has suggested that the characteristics of the new 2026 cars and the driving style they require may partly explain Antonelli’s major step forward, Verstappen believes reducing his success to one factor would be too simplistic.
Max Verstappen sees ‘no secret’ behind Kimi Antonelli’s form
Antonelli has won more than half of the Grands Prix held so far this season and has built a commanding advantage at the top of the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship.
His performances have also produced an extraordinary series of milestones, with the Mercedes youngster continuing to add to his record-breaking 2026 campaign.
According to four-time world champion Verstappen, however, there is no complicated explanation for why Antonelli has been able to perform at such a high level.
“I don’t think there’s any secret. [Kimi] is simply a very good driver,” the Red Bull driver said. “And when you’re a very good driver, eventually you find yourself fighting at the front, provided your car is also up to the job.”
Verstappen says Mercedes remains the team to beat
Verstappen also believes the competitive picture at the front has become closer as the season has developed, with McLaren and Ferrari increasingly capable of challenging Mercedes at certain circuits.
“In the last few races you’ve seen how McLaren is also very strong,” Verstappen told Formula 1’s official channel. “They haven’t always managed to optimise their results, whether because of their own mistakes or bad luck, like in the last race. But I still see genuine battles.”
McLaren’s pace was particularly evident in Madrid, where Lando Norris appeared on course for victory before the timing of the Virtual Safety Car changed the race and helped Antonelli secure his eighth win of the season.
Verstappen also stressed that Ferrari cannot be discounted when the circuit suits its package.
“Of course Ferrari is also very strong at some circuits. So [the result] isn’t always a given, but let’s say Mercedes is the team to beat.”
The W17 has been the benchmark car across much of the season, with Mercedes combining outright speed with remarkable consistency. That form has already raised questions over just how dominant Mercedes has become in 2026.
Antonelli has consistently maximised his opportunities
Even with Mercedes supplying one of the strongest packages on the grid, Verstappen believes Antonelli deserves significant credit for repeatedly extracting the maximum possible result.
“Kimi has always given his maximum and tried to optimise his race result,” Verstappen added.
That combination of a highly competitive car and a driver consistently converting opportunities has put Antonelli firmly in control of the championship heading into Baku. For Verstappen, there is no hidden formula behind it: Antonelli has the machinery to fight at the front and, so far, has repeatedly delivered when given the chance.
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