Andrea Kimi Antonelli has expressed a desire to race alongside Max Verstappen in the future, particularly within endurance racing. The Mercedes driver indicated that Verstappen offered direct counsel on the matter. Antonelli stated, ‘We’ve already talked about it, but Max told me to focus on this year, and we’ll see after that.’
Verstappen’s advice underscores his consistent emphasis on fully committing to Formula 1 before exploring other racing disciplines. Antonelli also highlighted a shared ambition with his father, Marco Antonelli, to compete together, describing it as ‘magnificent.’
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has addressed the prospect of a Verstappen-Antonelli driver pairing at Mercedes. Wolff stated that he is ‘not afraid’ of such a lineup occurring at some point in the future.
Wolff referenced past experiences, noting he ‘had worse’ during the intense rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. He suggested he would ‘probably handle it better today’ should a similar dynamic arise.
Despite this openness, Wolff clarified that Mercedes is currently content with its existing driver lineup of Antonelli and George Russell. He indicated that introducing another variable now ‘wouldn’t be right for our long-term development.’
Mercedes has confirmed that Antonelli and Russell will remain their driver pairing for the 2027 Formula 1 season. This provides stability for the team’s ongoing development efforts.
Max Verstappen has publicly praised Antonelli’s performance during the current 2026 season. Verstappen described Antonelli’s first half of the year as ‘really impressive’ and ‘rock solid.’
Antonelli currently leads the 2026 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship, having secured six Grand Prix victories this season. The 19-year-old is contracted with Mercedes until at least the end of the 2026 season.
Reports suggest Mercedes has secured Antonelli through 2029, reflecting a long-term commitment to his development. Verstappen’s future at Red Bull remains a subject of ongoing speculation within the paddock.
Rumours continue to link Verstappen with potential moves to teams such as McLaren or Mercedes for the 2027 season. Recent sightings of Verstappen and Toto Wolff together have further fueled these discussions.
