Jacques Villeneuve on Verstappen and Antonelli: “That’s the difference”

Max Verstappen’s 72nd Grand Prix victory at the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia – and it was a triumph in the truest sense of the word: The 29-year-old Dutchman didn’t give his rivals the slightest chance at the Sepang International Circuit and claimed victory for the first time since Abu Dhabi in 2025.

Jacques Villeneuve is also deeply impressed. The 55-year-old Canadian (1997 Formula 1 World Champion with Williams) watched the action in Malaysia in person and compares championship leader Kimi Antonelli with Bahrain Grand Prix winner Verstappen.

Villeneuve, an eleven-time Grand Prix winner, notes: “The big difference between Max and Kimi is that Verstappen makes mistakes very, very rarely. When he’s on course for a top result, he drives with incredible precision.”

“We’re not just seeing differences between Verstappen and his team-mate Isack Hadjar, but also between Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli. The Italian made a mistake in the final corner when he skidded straight on and scraped a bollard. Kimi was actually lucky there. If he’d gone to the right of the bollard, he would have had to drive into the pit lane, even though no tyre change was planned.”

“If Verstappen and Antonelli were battling for the title, the error rate would make a difference. Red Bull Racing has made up ground, but unfortunately it’s too late for Max this season.”

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“Antonelli can control the World Championship because he knows he’s faster than George Russell. And there aren’t that many races left to go. Kimi could retire three times in a row now and he’d still be the championship leader! And if he keeps making these mistakes, one of them is bound to really cost him.”