Kimi Antonelli may be closing in on his first Formula 1 World Championship, but Nico Rosberg believes Max Verstappen remains the best driver on the grid.
The 2016 World Champion has praised Antonelli’s extraordinary rise at Mercedes, comparing the young Italian’s performances to those of Michael Schumacher. However, Rosberg insists that Verstappen continues to set the benchmark in Formula 1, while warning George Russell that he must raise his game to challenge his increasingly dominant teammate.
Verstappen Remains Formula 1’s Benchmark
Despite Antonelli’s commanding position in the championship standings, Rosberg is convinced that Verstappen remains the most complete driver in the sport.
“Max Verstappen is still the best driver in this sport,” Rosberg told RTL.
The four-time World Champion has enjoyed a resurgence in recent races, securing consecutive Grand Prix victories as Red Bull’s improvements have restored its competitiveness.
Rosberg believes those performances demonstrate Verstappen’s exceptional ability to maximise the potential of his machinery, even after a challenging period for his team.
Describing the Dutchman as a genuine phenomenon, the former Mercedes driver expects Verstappen to remain a leading contender for victories throughout the closing stages of the season.
However, he believes the championship gap is now too substantial to overcome.
“He is obviously the big favourite for victories at the end of the season, but he can no longer catch Antonelli,” Rosberg explained.
Antonelli Earns a Remarkable Schumacher Comparison
While Verstappen remains Rosberg’s leading driver, Antonelli’s emergence as Mercedes’ championship frontrunner has exceeded the German’s expectations.
At just 20 years old and in only his second Formula 1 season, Antonelli is approaching a potentially historic achievement.
Should he secure the championship, he would become the youngest World Champion in Formula 1 history, surpassing the record established by Sebastian Vettel in 2010.
Rosberg has been particularly impressed by the Italian’s speed, consistency and ability to deliver under pressure.
“He’s a phenomenon. We absolutely didn’t expect this,” Rosberg said.
“It’s world-class, Michael Schumacher level.”
The comparison carries particular significance given Rosberg’s experience alongside Schumacher at Mercedes between 2010 and 2012.
Having witnessed the seven-time World Champion’s approach to racing firsthand, Rosberg believes Antonelli is already demonstrating qualities associated with Formula 1’s greatest drivers.
The Mercedes youngster could potentially secure the championship at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, although Mexico may offer a more likely opportunity to complete his title-winning campaign.
Antonelli Acknowledges Verstappen’s Resurgence
Despite his substantial championship advantage, Antonelli has not underestimated the threat posed by Verstappen’s recent return to winning form.
The Italian recognises that Red Bull’s improved competitiveness could have created a significantly more difficult title battle had it arrived earlier in the season.
“That would be very scary. That would be really, really scary,” Antonelli admitted when considering such a scenario.
Verstappen’s recent performances have reinforced his status as one of the strongest drivers on the grid, even as Antonelli moves closer to claiming the championship.
For Rosberg, the distinction is clear: Antonelli has delivered the strongest championship campaign, but Verstappen remains his benchmark for individual driving ability.
Russell Faces Growing Pressure at Mercedes
Rosberg also believes Antonelli’s rise has created an increasingly difficult situation for George Russell.
The British driver entered the season as Mercedes’ more experienced competitor, but Antonelli has progressively established himself as the team’s leading championship contender.
Rosberg argues that the Italian has earned his position through superior performances and that Russell must now find a response.
“Kimi has simply been the stronger driver and therefore fully deserves to be at the top of the standings. George now needs to raise his level.”
The former Mercedes champion believes Russell must identify ways to counter his teammate’s development or risk allowing Antonelli to establish himself as the team’s long-term reference point.
“He needs to find ways to respond to his teammate’s progress, otherwise Kimi could establish himself permanently as Mercedes’ benchmark.”
The situation presents two contrasting objectives for the Mercedes drivers over the remaining races.
Antonelli is focused on converting his championship advantage into a historic first world title, while Russell faces the challenge of rebuilding momentum and reducing the points deficit to his teammate.
Rosberg believes Russell should aim to finish the season with a smaller gap rather than allow Antonelli’s advantage to grow further.
Two Different Challenges for Mercedes’ Drivers
As the 2026 season approaches its conclusion, Mercedes finds itself in an unusual position.
Antonelli stands on the verge of becoming Formula 1’s youngest World Champion, while Russell must respond to a teammate whose development has exceeded expectations.
Meanwhile, Verstappen’s resurgence has introduced another competitive threat, particularly as Red Bull continues to improve its car.
For Rosberg, the championship standings and the ranking of the sport’s best drivers remain separate questions.
Antonelli may be producing a season worthy of comparison with Michael Schumacher, but in Rosberg’s assessment, Verstappen still occupies the top position in Formula 1’s competitive hierarchy.
