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Max Verstappen has echoed Lando Norris’ comments about Kimi Antonelli as the Mercedes ace looks to bolster his lead in the F1 standings at this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix.
The 19-year-old arrived at the Red Bull Ring with a relatively comfortable 41-point lead in the drivers’ championship over a rejuvenated Lewis Hamilton in second place. Mercedes teammate George Russell occupies P3, exactly 50 points adrift of Antonelli.
Where would Max Verstappen and Lando Norris rank among McLaren’s greatest line-ups?
Antonelli’s rise to becoming a championship contender this season has seen a stark shift from the form he was showing during his rookie campaign.
Last year wasn’t terrible by any stretch of the imagination, but winning a record five consecutive Grands Prix to open your account in the sport was quite literally unheard of.
Despite Antonelli no longer being viewed as the youngster by his F1 rivals anymore, he has remained the same pleasant person that he entered the sport as, according to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Max Verstappen says ‘it’s great’ for F1 to have someone like Kimi Antonelli leading
In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport inside the Austrian Grand Prix paddock, the four-time F1 world champion spoke about his relationship with the younger generation of drivers who have been coming through the ranks in recent years.
In 10 years from now, where do you think Kimi Antonelli will rank among F1’s greatest drivers?
Asked if he enjoys spending time with them, Verstappen replied, “Yes, absolutely! They’re all really nice, from Antonelli to Bortoleto, and it’s great to see these young lads, who are so talented, coming through and doing a brilliant job right from the start.
“I don’t really make distinctions based on age; if I like you and get on well with you, it doesn’t matter if you’re ten years older or younger. These lads are simply intelligent and easy-going, and I’m happy to have built a good relationship with them.”
Verstappen was then asked whether the young Italian’s dominance in the early rounds of the current campaign came as any surprise to him, to which he echoed Lando Norris’ recent comments on why he is enjoying Antonelli’s run of form, citing him as a “very nice person”.
“I know Kimi well; we got on well last year, and I’ve never had any doubts about his great talent, Verstappen said. “But yes, he’s doing something remarkable this season: he’s 19 and already in the running for the World Championship title.
“I made my F1 debut early but had to wait quite a while before competing for a championship; he, on the other hand, with a very competitive car, has immediately shown he can handle the pressure of being at the front, managing a very stressful environment.
“I think it’s great for the sport to see someone like him leading the standings, not least because, first and foremost, Kimi is a wonderful person.”
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