Max Verstappen has openly commended the "rock‑solid" displays that have propelled 19‑year‑old Kimi Antonelli to the summit of the 2026 Formula 1 Drivers' Championship during the opening half of the season. Antonelli, now only in his sophomore year at the sport's pinnacle, seized the lead at the end of March and entered the summer hiatus with a commanding fifty‑point cushion over Ferrari veteran Lewis Hamilton. The young Italian made history by becoming, alongside Verstappen, one of the only teenagers ever to claim an F1 race win when he triumphed at his debut Grand Prix in China.
Since that breakthrough, the Mercedes‑backed prodigy has added five further victories to his résumé, cementing his status as a genuine title contender. When reporters asked Verstappen after the Hungarian Grand Prix which driver had delivered the most impressive performance in the first phase of the campaign, he singled out Antonelli without hesitation.
"If you look at the front of the grid, Kimi has done an outstanding job," Verstappen said, seated beside Antonelli and race winner Lando Norris during the post‑race press conference. "He's incredibly strong, remarkably consistent, and the strongest driver in the team right now." Verstappen continued, noting that the teenager has shown a level of maturity that belies his age.
"He's been rock solid for a 19‑year‑old," the Dutch champion added, acknowledging that Antonelli has occasionally suffered from bad luck, which has been "a bit of a shame." "If he can keep this pace, there's no reason he can't stay at the top," Verstappen concluded. The Dutchman also reflected on the broader challenges of the season, describing it as "a bit of a jungle" and admitting that a car that feels pleasant to drive can make the experience more enjoyable, even though drivers often have to contend with battery‑management constraints and other technical issues. "Overall, Antonelli's performance has been very strong.
He's a great guy and an exceptionally talented driver – a winning combination," Verstappen said. Lando Norris, who won the Hungarian race, was asked the same question and echoed Verstappen's praise. "Kimi is a complete package," Norris remarked.
"He has a fantastic car and he has beaten his teammate every single weekend. When you talk about a championship, you have to give credit to Kimi." Norris also highlighted the importance of machinery, noting that when he has a car that suits him, he feels unbeatable.
"We all think we’re the best when the car is right, but ultimately it comes down to the equipment and how you extract the maximum from it," he explained. "There are three drivers at the very top right now, but there are many others doing incredible work as well." Antonelli, when asked to assess his own performance, was modest.
"I don’t like to judge myself, but I think I’ve had a good first half of the season," he said. "As Lando and Max mentioned, it’s hard to compare cars directly. I still have a long way to go before I reach the level of the two drivers next to me, but I’m pleased with what I’ve achieved so far. There’s still a lot of work ahead." His rapid rise and consistent form in Mercedes' championship‑leading machine have turned the spotlight onto him as the most likely champion, even surpassing his teammate George Russell, who entered the year as the pre‑season favourite according to bookmakers.
However, team principal Toto Wolff cautioned against premature conclusions. "It’s too early to say who the favourite is," Wolff said. "We still have twelve races left, and a single DNF can swing the standings dramatically.
Reliability has been an issue, so we need to extract the maximum from every Friday practice through to Sunday race day." Looking ahead, the F1 calendar resumes after the summer break with a sprint weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix, scheduled for 21‑23 August. All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, and fans can stream the coverage via NOW with no contract and the option to cancel at any time. The upcoming races will provide Antonelli, Verstappen, Norris, and the rest of the grid with ample opportunity to either consolidate their positions or mount comebacks, ensuring that the championship battle remains one of the most compelling narratives of the 2026 season.