Stefano Domenicali has objected to comparisons between Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen, saying it is “disrespectful” to compare a young driver to someone who has already left such an important mark on Formula 1.
Antonelli is still in the early stages of his career and is already being hailed as Italy’s next big thing. But with those expectations comes pressure, especially when he is seen as the country’s next great hope even before he makes his F1 debut.
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Antonelli’s style has been compared to Hamilton’s, not only because of the way he drives, but also because of his age. In 2025, he broke the F1 record as an 18-year-old rookie and set more milestones in 2026.
Stefano Domenicali thinks comparisons are unfair
After taking his first pole position in China in March, Antonelli became the youngest driver to win the F1 Grand Prix pole position. He even became the second youngest race winner after Verstappen. He also became the youngest driver with the fastest lap at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix.
Domenicali told El Pais: “Kimi should not be compared to any of the greats of the past. It is unfair to him and disrespectful to a racing legend.”
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“I know them all, from Senna to Schumi [Michael Schumacher]from [Kimi] Raikkonen [Fernando] Alonso, all the way to Hamilton and Verstappen. Each has left an indelible mark on F1.
“What impressed me about Antonelli, besides his natural instinct for speed, was how quickly he learned from his mistakes. Many Italians compare him to Sinner, recognizing themselves in the emotions he generates, and rightly so.”
Mercedes star Antonelli previously admitted that despite the Brazilian being his idol, he dislikes comparisons with Senna as he would rather be known for his own style and success. Like Domenicali, Toto Wolff said the comparison was unhelpful.
The Bologna boy’s young age, with Antonelli only turning 20 in August, has often drawn comparisons to Verstappen, who broke into F1 in 2015 at the age of 17. Verstappen and Lance Stroll (18 at the time) were the only drivers younger than Antonelli.
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