Nico Rosberg has compared Kimi Antonelli’s performances in the 2026 Formula 1 season to those of Michael Schumacher, praising the young Mercedes driver for the remarkable consistency that has brought him to the brink of his first world championship. However, the 2016 world champion maintains that Max Verstappen remains the best driver on the current F1 grid and believes the Dutchman would return to dominating the championship with a sufficiently competitive Red Bull.
With the United States and Mexico City Grands Prix approaching, Kimi Antonelli could soon celebrate his maiden Formula 1 world title, barely a year after beginning his career in the championship. His commanding position has impressed Nico Rosberg, who believes the Italian fully deserves the success now within his reach.
Nico Rosberg compares Kimi Antonelli to Michael Schumacher
Kimi Antonelli’s emergence as the leading contender for the 2026 Formula 1 championship has taken many observers by surprise. Before the season began, George Russell was widely regarded as the favourite within Mercedes, particularly after winning the opening race in Australia. Instead, his young teammate quickly seized the initiative and overturned those expectations with a series of victories.
The Italian’s performances have also raised the prospect of a historic achievement for his country. Should Kimi Antonelli secure the title, Italy would have a Formula 1 world champion for the first time in 73 years, following Alberto Ascari’s second championship victory in 1953.
Speaking to RTL and Sky Sport Deutschland, Nico Rosberg explained that he had long been aware of Kimi Antonelli’s natural speed, having followed the Italian since his karting days. Nevertheless, the scale of his improvement after a difficult first season has exceeded expectations.
“I knew he was very, very fast. I’ve known him since karting,” Nico Rosberg explained. “But after last year, when he struggled enormously, nobody would ever have thought he would drive like this this year. He has driven at Michael Schumacher’s level.”
The comparison with seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher reflects Nico Rosberg’s admiration not only for Kimi Antonelli’s outright speed but also for his ability to deliver strong performances consistently throughout the campaign.
Why Nico Rosberg believes Kimi Antonelli fully deserves the 2026 F1 title
For Nico Rosberg, consistency has been the decisive quality separating Kimi Antonelli from his rivals. While other drivers have experienced fluctuations in performance and made mistakes, the Mercedes youngster has repeatedly remained among the leading competitors.
“He is the only one who consistently remains at the front. The others make mistakes and are sometimes slow, sometimes fast, then slow again. Antonelli, on the other hand, has always been up there and fully deserves this title, which nobody can take away from him,” the former Mercedes driver continued.
His assessment underlines how dramatically the balance of power within Mercedes has changed since the beginning of the season. George Russell initially appeared to hold the advantage, but Kimi Antonelli’s run of victories and consistent results transformed the championship battle.
The approaching United States and Mexico City Grands Prix could now provide the opportunity for the Italian to secure the title mathematically. Such an achievement would mark an extraordinary milestone in a Formula 1 career that began only in 2025.
Max Verstappen remains the best F1 driver, according to Nico Rosberg
Despite his enthusiastic assessment of Kimi Antonelli’s championship campaign, Nico Rosberg does not believe the Mercedes driver has yet replaced Max Verstappen as Formula 1’s leading talent.
“Max remains the best driver in this sport. If Red Bull gives him a competitive car, he will return to dominating,” Nico Rosberg declared.
The distinction is significant. While Kimi Antonelli has delivered the consistency and results needed to approach his first world championship, Nico Rosberg continues to regard Max Verstappen as the strongest individual driver on the grid.
For the 2016 world champion, the Italian’s remarkable rise and the Dutchman’s established reputation are not contradictory assessments. Kimi Antonelli may be on the verge of a historic championship triumph, but Nico Rosberg believes Max Verstappen still sets the benchmark when it comes to outright driving ability.
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