Kimi Antonelli on Max Verstappen: “That would scare me a great deal”

What do the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia and the Singapore Grand Prix have in common? That’s right: Max Verstappen drives from pole position to victory.

Verstappen and Red Bull Racing are back in top form. In the last eight World Championship races in which Max finished, the Dutchman has stood on the podium every time – most recently finishing second in Spain and Azerbaijan, and winning in Bahrain and Singapore.

In this form, Mercedes and Kimi Antonelli would have to watch out when it comes to the World Championship title, but the disappointing first half of the season is preventing Max from having a say in the title race.

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli has 340 points, whilst Verstappen is fourth in the championship behind George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, with 221 points. It’s clear that Verstappen is out of the running for the championship, but finishing second is still a possibility. Russell currently has 238 points, whilst Hamilton has 229.

Mercedes ace Antonelli remarked in Singapore: “If Max weren’t so far behind in the championship, his form would have me very worried.”

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Antonelli could become the youngest Formula 1 champion as early as the upcoming World Championship round in Austin (Texas). To do so, he must win in America, and his closest rival, Russell, must not finish higher than ninth.

Kimi, however, remains undeterred: “I’m not changing my approach in the slightest. I want to get the best possible result from every race; everything else will follow naturally.”