Max Verstappen humorously highlights the main distinction between himself and Kimi Antonelli at 20: “He converses in Italian!”

When queried if it’s really that straightforward, the four-time world champion elaborated: “Well, that certainly contributes a lot. And, of course, he’s also had proper guidance from a very young age with his father. His dad knows much more about racing than the average parent, and if your son has a tremendous amount of talent, that already provides a significant advantage.”

Along with Marco Antonelli's mentorship, there is also the unwavering support from Mercedes, something Antonelli consistently acknowledges. Team principal Toto Wolff has always backed his protege, even during the challenging times of last year, and with the seasoned Peter Bonnington among those supporting him, Antonelli could hardly hope for a better environment.

When Verstappen is asked what quality Antonelli has that he did not possess at 20, the Dutchman humorously replies with a serious expression: “Well, he speaks Italian…”

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Aside from Verstappen's less impressive Italian skills, the Red Bull driver emphasizes that the two situations are not truly comparable.

“You can't draw parallels. I began in Formula 1 at 17, and for a significant period, I wasn't in a car that could compete for the championship,” Verstappen stated. “That was clearly the main issue, but Kimi's success at such a young age is quite remarkable.”

Verstappen refers to his debut with Toro Rosso and his early years at Red Bull, which were particularly tough due to the underperforming Renault engine. Consequently, Verstappen could only vie for individual race victories and lacked the machinery to contend for the title until 2021, his seventh season in F1.

Although the earlier years were understandably frustrating due to the absence of competitive equipment, they allowed the Dutchman the chance to develop relatively away from the limelight. According to Verstappen, Antonelli did not have that luxury as he immediately joined a top team.

“I think last year presented challenges for him at certain points. But of course, you learn from those experiences, and such moments are necessary for growth. That’s typical in a rookie season,” Verstappen reflected.

“Driving for a top team means everything is scrutinized more closely. You can't really evolve away from the spotlight, but he managed that exceptionally well as he entered this year. He was right on the pace from the very start of the season.”

Beyond Antonelli's driving skills, Verstappen considers another aspect even more crucial: how the 20-year-old Italian carries himself as a person and how seemingly unaffected he is by fame. Antonelli remains grounded, and Verstappen values that most: “He’s just an ordinary guy. He doesn’t act like a rock star or a superstar. He’s very genuine. He has a good heart, and I truly admire that.”