Newly crowned Formula 1 world champion Kimi Antonelli has already turned his attention to next season, and the young Mercedes driver has little doubt about who poses the toughest challenge. Speaking to Italian media during a press event in San Marino, where he lives, the 20-year-old singled out Max Verstappen as the rival most likely to make life difficult in 2027.
“If I had to choose one driver who would cause me the most problems, it would be Max Verstappen,” Antonelli said.
Antonelli sealed the 2026 title in Mexico with races still remaining, becoming the youngest champion in Formula 1 history. Mercedes have dominated much of the campaign, yet the gaps have narrowed. Red Bull’s late-season surge, driven by Verstappen’s relentless form, has not gone unnoticed.
Antonelli did not expect a two-horse race and spoke of a tight battle involving the leading teams and several established names. “Verstappen, Norris, Hamilton, Leclerc, all the drivers from the top teams, including my teammate Russell, who will be more consistently at his level,” he explained. “It will be a very close fight and we’re already very close. Red Bull and McLaren have improved, Ferrari is still there.”
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Antonelli went further and named the multi-driver competition he would welcome next year. “It would be amazing to have a fight among all of us from the top teams, including Lewis, Charles, my teammate, Max and Lando. I think it will be a very close fight.”
The Italian also flagged the unknown of the 2027 regulations. “It will be like starting from scratch,” he noted. “It will be interesting to see who has done the best job and how the cars perform.”
Antonelli said that the title has only sharpened his appetite. “Despite the victory, I’m perhaps even hungrier than before,” he said. “This is just the beginning. The hunger is there, the fire is there.”
Choosing Verstappen over his own teammate George Russell is a big call. Antonelli expects Russell to deliver greater consistency next year, but still views the four-time champion as the single most dangerous individual opponent.
