Nico Rosberg praises Kimi Antonelli but ranks Max on top.
Nico Rosberg has delivered high praise for Andrea Kimi Antonelli, comparing the Mercedes youngster’s current form to Michael Schumacher’s level. The former world champion, however, insists Max Verstappen remains the best driver on the grid. According to Formula Passion, Rosberg spoke to media as Antonelli edges closer to a maiden Formula 1 world title.
Rosberg Compares Antonelli to Michael Schumacher
Rosberg said he always knew Antonelli was very, very fast, having followed him since his karting days. What surprised him was the way the Italian has performed this season, especially after a difficult previous year.
“I knew he was very, very fast, I’ve known him since his karting days, but after last year, when he struggled a lot, no one would have thought he would drive like this,” Rosberg said. He went further, adding that Antonelli “has driven at Michael Schumacher levels.”
Few comparisons carry more weight in Formula 1. Schumacher’s name is shorthand for relentless consistency and total control over a season, and Rosberg’s decision to use it shows how highly he rates what Antonelli has produced.
Antonelli’s Consistency Sets Him Apart at the Top
The core of Rosberg’s argument is consistency. In his view, Antonelli is the only driver who has been at the top consistently, while the others have made mistakes and swung between sometimes slow and sometimes fast performances.
That assessment frames Antonelli’s season as one built on reliability rather than isolated flashes of speed. Rosberg stressed that Antonelli has “always been up there,” a point that matters in a championship decided over a long calendar, where a few weak weekends can undo months of good work.
Rosberg also made clear he believes the title would be fully earned. He said Antonelli “fully deserves this title that no one can take away from him,” a strong endorsement from someone who knows the pressure of a championship fight.
Rosberg Still Backs Max Verstappen as the Best Driver
Despite the glowing words for Antonelli, Rosberg was careful not to rewrite the pecking order of the sport. He maintained that Verstappen is still the best driver on the current grid.
“Max remains the best driver in this sport, and if Red Bull provides him with a competitive car, he will return to dominate,” Rosberg said.
The comment draws a clear line between driver quality and championship results. Rosberg is effectively saying that Antonelli’s title challenge does not diminish Verstappen’s talent, and that the outcome of the season reflects the machinery as much as the drivers. In his view, the key to Verstappen returning to the top is a competitive Red Bull.
Antonelli Closes In on Italy’s First Title Since Ascari
Antonelli is on the verge of celebrating his first world championship, a milestone that would also be historic for his country. Italy has not seen a drivers’ title since Alberto Ascari won in 1953.
For Italian fans, the prospect of ending that long wait adds a layer of national significance to Antonelli’s campaign. A driver so early in his Formula 1 career being on the brink of the championship is itself remarkable, and it is the reason Rosberg’s praise has attracted such attention.
How Antonelli’s Rise Overturned Early Season Expectations
Antonelli’s surge was not what most people predicted at the start of the year. Expectations initially favored his teammate George Russell, who won the season opener in Australia and appeared to be the natural leader at Mercedes.
Antonelli, however, quickly built momentum with a series of victories, overturning those early predictions. It also fits with Rosberg’s own words: after a tough previous year, few would have expected the Italian to be the driver setting the standard.
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As the championship edges toward its conclusion, Rosberg’s verdict adds an interesting layer to the story. He sees Antonelli as a champion-elect operating at an exceptional level, while still seeing Verstappen as the sport’s finest talent, one who could return to dominate if Red Bull gives him the car to do it.
Whether Antonelli completes the job and ends Italy’s 73-year wait for a world champion will soon be settled on track.
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