Kimi Antonelli has shown strong potential as a racing driver, but according to former F1 winner Ralf Schumacher, he is not the next Max Verstappen. Schumacher, who won six grands prix in his career, offered this assessment midway through Antonelli’s rookie Formula 1 season with Mercedes in 2025. Despite Antonelli’s early promise, Schumacher believes the 18-year-old requires more time to reach Verstappen’s level.
Antonelli’s Path to Formula 1 and Initial Challenges
After an exceptional junior career where Antonelli collected multiple titles, Mercedes promoted him to their 2025 F1 race seat as George Russell’s teammate, following Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari. The Italian driver started the season strongly, regularly finishing in the points, but soon encountered difficulties linked to Mercedes’ problematic rear-suspension update. The team reversed this upgrade before the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Antonelli earned a single point, marking only his second scoring finish in eight races.
Comparisons from Nico Rosberg and Ralf Schumacher’s Doubts
Before joining Formula 1, Antonelli was highly praised by Nico Rosberg, the 2016 World Champion, who raced with him in karting and compared him to Max Verstappen. Rosberg described Antonelli as “phenomenal” and “Max Verstappen-level” during a 2024 Sky F1 appearance. However, Schumacher, a former Jordan, Williams, and Toyota F1 driver, expressed reservations based on what he has seen this season.
Schumacher points to the complexity of the Mercedes W16 car as a significant obstacle for the rookie, noting that Antonelli’s rapid rise through junior ranks means he has relatively limited experience. Schumacher told BILD,
“I do believe that Kimi is a strong racing driver, but he simply needs time.”
He added,
“When everything is right for him, he is fast, but the car was obviously too complex.”
Schumacher firmly stated,
“I wouldn’t describe him as the next Max Verstappen.”
Comparative Performance: Antonelli and George Russell in 2025
Throughout the 2025 season, Antonelli has been measured directly against his Mercedes teammate George Russell. While Russell, a four-time grand prix winner with over six seasons of experience, has managed somewhat consistent point finishes despite the team’s struggles, Antonelli’s performance has been more inconsistent. Russell’s experience has helped him navigate difficult races more smoothly, a factor Schumacher and others consider vital in F1’s demanding environment.
Why It’s Premature to Write Off Antonelli’s Future
Antonelli’s rookie season has had ups and downs, but Mercedes took a conscious risk by promoting such a young driver so quickly. Competing in F1 at 18, already scoring a podium, reflects his impressive raw talent. The Canadian Grand Prix showcased Antonelli’s potential when he joined Russell on the podium despite the team’s broader challenges.
Looking at similar trajectories, Oscar Piastri’s experience at McLaren offers a useful example. Piastri won three junior championships consecutively but required two seasons of development before competing strongly with Lando Norris. In Piastri’s third season, his racecraft and experience propelled him to lead the Drivers’ Championship. This progression underscores the need for patience and development with young drivers.
For Antonelli, time will be essential to refine his skills and adjust to the demanding F1 environment. Observers, including Schumacher, believe he has the talent but must build experience before reaching the level of someone like Verstappen.
Looking Ahead: The Potential Growth of Kimi Antonelli
While the Kimi Antonelli Max Verstappen comparison remains a popular topic, it is clear from expert evaluations that Antonelli’s path will be unique. His early achievements hint at a bright future, but Ferrari’s move of Hamilton and Mercedes’ technical challenges have added complexity to his development. As the 2025 season unfolds, Antonelli’s continued progress will be closely watched, with the hope that experience will unlock his full potential in the competitive F1 field.