Max Verstappen, four-time Formula 1 world champion, recently spoke about Kimi Antonelli, saying that for him it is no surprise.
Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli had a fierce duel during the last F1 Grand Prix in Canada. On the circuit named after Gilles Villeneuve, a real battle for second place took place: on one side was Max, a multiple world champion, on the other the Mercedes rookie. Two drivers completely at opposite ends in terms of experience and driving style, yet they delivered a tight and fascinating fight.
There’s no denying it: the Italian driver is making incredibly fast progress. His first races in the top motorsport category have been remarkable, even though he’s often been limited by the reliability issues of the German power unit. His first career podium, which came right in Montreal, further confirms the extraordinary talent behind the wheel of this young man.
Many have been surprised by Kimi, not expecting such a competitive level right away. Among them was certainly not Verstappen: the Dutchman already knew the talent of the youngster from Bologna and was not at all surprised by the results he’s achieved on track.
Max Verstappen’s words
“For me it’s no surprise,” he told Motorsport Week. “I’ve known Kimi since his rise in karting — people were already speaking highly of him. So I kept an eye on him. What’s impressive is that he’s naturally fast. What I like is his balanced and calm approach. Those are fantastic qualities. I never had any doubts that the podium would come this year.”
“He had a few unlucky races, one of which in the Sprint was partly my fault, with the pit stop. But it was just a matter of time. I’m really happy it happened for him. It gives you more confidence. It’s a good boost. And things will only get better. You’re in your rookie season, and there are so many things ahead. You learn from the weaker races, you learn from the good ones. In the coming years, we’ll definitely see a lot more of Kimi.” – the Red Bull driver pointed out.
On the other hand, Antonelli has also recently spoken about the four-time F1 world champion. In his interview, Kimi said he sees Max as a major source of inspiration, hoping to achieve similar success in the future.
Kimi Antonelli’s words about Verstappen
“Racing in F1 with the other 19 best drivers on the grid gives you a lot of motivation,” he said. “Having the chance to perform at your best and show what you’re capable of is a big boost. Of course, seeing what Max has done over the years, especially in his rookie years, was really impressive. So he’s definitely a role model for me. But in the end, racing against the best is a great opportunity.”
Leave a Reply