Max Verstappen Jokes Antonelli's Italian Is His Only Skill at 20

Max Verstappen has joked about the key difference between himself and Formula 1's youngest-ever world champion, Kimi Antonelli, after the Mexican Grand Prix.

Asked what quality the 20-year-old Mercedes driver possesses that Verstappen himself did not have at the same age, the four-time world champion replied with a completely straight face: "Well, he speaks Italian…"

The deadpan line drew laughs from those present.

Verstappen, 28, has never hidden his limited Italian vocabulary.

But the joke came during a more serious discussion about Antonelli's historic achievement.

Antonelli entered the record books at the Mexico Grand Prix by becoming the youngest world champion in F1 history.

He took the record from Sebastian Vettel, who had said at Monza that he would be delighted for Antonelli to break it and that records are there to be broken.

Under the current superlicence rules, lowering Antonelli's mark of 20 years, two months and seven days would require a driver to win a maiden title while still a teenager.

That underlines just how special Antonelli's achievement is.

Verstappen gave a rather matter-of-fact response shortly before the Italian secured the title when asked what sets Antonelli apart from most young drivers.

"More talent," Verstappen said.

Asked whether it really is that simple, the four-time world champion continued: "Well, that certainly helps a lot."

"And of course, he's also had proper guidance from a very young age with his father."

"His dad knows a lot more about racing than the average father, and if your son then has a huge amount of talent, that already helps a lot."

Antonelli's father, Marco Antonelli, has been a guiding force throughout his son's career.

Alongside Marco's guidance, there is also the trust and support of Mercedes.

Team principal Toto Wolff has always stood by his protege, even during difficult moments last year.

With experienced race engineer Peter Bonnington among those working alongside him, Antonelli could hardly wish for a better environment.

Antonelli himself regularly highlights the support from Mercedes.

Verstappen stressed that the two situations cannot really be compared.

"You can't compare it," he said.

"I started in Formula 1 when I was 17, and for a very long time I wasn't driving a car with which I could fight for the championship."

Verstappen made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix at age 17.

He moved to Red Bull Racing in 2016 and won his first race that same year at the Spanish Grand Prix.

But his first world title did not come until 2021, in a controversial season-long battle with Lewis Hamilton.

Antonelli, by contrast, joined Mercedes straight from Formula 2 and won the championship in his rookie season.

The Italian driver's rapid rise has drawn comparisons to Verstappen's own early career.

Both drivers entered F1 with exceptional talent and strong family backing.

But Verstappen's joke about the language difference highlighted one clear distinction.

Antonelli is Italian and speaks the language fluently.

Verstappen, who is Dutch and grew up in Belgium and the Netherlands, does not.

The Red Bull driver has often used humor to deflect questions about rivals.

His deadpan delivery has become a trademark in press conferences.

The Antonelli joke was typical Verstappen — short, sharp, and effective.

But behind the humor, there was genuine respect.

Verstappen acknowledged Antonelli's talent without hesitation.

He also pointed out that Antonelli's path to the title was different from his own.

Verstappen had to wait years for a competitive car.

Antonelli got one immediately at Mercedes.

That does not diminish the achievement, but it does put it in context.

Verstappen's own 2026 season has been strong, with three wins in the last four grands prix.

He won the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, the Singapore Night Grand Prix, and the spectacular Mexican Grand Prix.

He currently sits second in the world championship standings.