Untelevised but Unforgettable: Mercedes Captures Sweet Interaction Between Verstappen and Antonelli
When one of the greatest drivers to ever get behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car stops to give you props, you know you’re doing something right. For Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the young gun in the Mercedes, that moment came from none other than Max Verstappen. And let me tell you, the praise wasn’t just some throwaway comment; it was genuine, heartfelt respect from a champion to a rising star.
Understanding the Context
It all went down in the cool-down room after the chaos of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. While the cameras were focused elsewhere, a little interaction captured by the Mercedes social media team spoke volumes. Verstappen, fresh off another win, turned to Antonelli and asked where he’d finished. When the 19-year-old rookie signaled he’d crossed the line in fourth, Max’s reaction was pure gold: a mix of genuine surprise and admiration, followed by a solid thumbs-up.
You have to understand the context to really appreciate that moment. Antonelli had a shocker in qualifying, getting knocked out in Q1 and starting a miserable 17th on the grid. For a rookie, especially on a brand-new, tricky street circuit like Vegas, that’s usually a recipe for a long, forgettable Sunday afternoon. But Kimi isn’t your average rookie.
A Drive for the Ages in Vegas
What Antonelli and Mercedes pulled off in Vegas was nothing short of brilliant. He managed a sensational recovery drive, slicing his way through the field with a maturity that belies his age. He even had to deal with a five-second penalty for a false start. The kid just put his head down and drove the wheels off his Mercedes.
Even more impressive was how he did it. He made his one and only pit stop early in the race during a Virtual Safety Car period. That meant he had to make his tires last for an incredibly long time, all while fighting his way past more experienced drivers. It was a masterclass in tire management, something that usually takes years to perfect.
After the race, Max admitted he hadn’t been watching Antonelli’s race closely since he was busy battling Lando Norris and his own teammate, George Russell, for the win. But when he was told about Kimi’s drive, he was floored. “Wow, that’s really good,” Verstappen said. “And then of course I saw also the way that he did it to keep the tires alive. I think he did an incredible stint, even compared to George in the same car.”
Coming from a guy like Max, who is a magician with his tires, that’s about the highest praise you can get. After post-race disqualifications for the McLarens, Antonelli was even promoted to third place, officially bagging a podium finish that felt thoroughly deserved.
The Mercedes Youngster is Finding His Groove
This Vegas performance wasn’t a one-off fluke. It was the continuation of some powerful form from the young Italian. The Mercedes prodigy, who was fast-tracked into F1 much like Verstappen himself, has been building momentum. He secured second place in both the sprint and the main Grand Prix in Brazil just before heading to Vegas.
During that race in São Paulo, he even had a proper scrap with Verstappen. Max was hunting him down, pushing as hard as he could to get past, but Antonelli held his ground with incredible composure. “Brazil, yeah good,” Max recalled with a smile. “Of course I was pushing as hard as I could to get by, tried to put him under pressure, but unfortunately I would say one lap short.”
He almost held off the world champion. Let that sink in. It’s this combination of raw speed, race craft, and an uncanny ability to learn new tracks quickly that has Verstappen so impressed. “He’s been performing really well on tracks that he didn’t know,” Max added. “So that’s even more impressive, I would say.”
A Bright Future for the Mercedes Driver
For Antonelli, it feels like redemption. After a mid-season slump, he’s found his confidence. “The feeling is getting better and better in the car,” he said. “I’ve been enjoying quite a lot lately driving the car, and it’s been, after Brazil, good momentum.”
With a string of podiums under his belt, the young Mercedes driver is now seventh in the championship and is even closing in on Lewis Hamilton. It’s a feel-good story for the sport and a sign that the next generation is more than ready to take on the titans of Formula 1. When you have Max Verstappen tipping his cap to you, the future looks very bright indeed.
