At Red Bull, there is an awareness of all the rumors surrounding Max Verstappen. Despite the Dutchman having a contract until 2028, paddock talk is solely about a transfer to Mercedes. The German racing team is an attractive prospect, especially given the turmoil at Red Bull – consider the sudden dismissal of Christian Horner. At Mercedes, Verstappen could potentially be paired with Kimi Antonelli. Helmut Marko already warns that the young Italian probably won’t last long.
With the unexpected departure of Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has his sights set on the future. After several promising tests, he decided to place his trust in Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a very young Formula 2 rookie. At 18 years old, the Italian signed a Formula 1 contract with the Silberpfeile. Antonelli has since raced in twelve Grands Prix and scored solid points for Mercedes. He also managed to hold his own alongside George Russell, although he has only sporadically beaten the more experienced Brit.
In 2026, Antonelli may face a much tougher challenge. The transfer rumors surrounding Max Verstappen have been further fueled in recent weeks – a move to Mercedes seems closer than ever. If Antonelli ends up being Verstappen’s teammate, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko predicts little good for the young driver. After all, the Dutchman has worn out several capable teammates in the past. “Everyone pales next to Max,” Marko told Auto, Motor und Sport. “In his second year, Verstappen would really come too early for Antonelli.”
