Now it’s time for Kimi Antonelli to laugh at Max Verstappen in his second consecutive year of a breakthrough season in Formula One. After missing another battle in Madrid and emerging as a hero there, Antonelli boasted his newfound power and joked that he’s “definitely not having a comeback” as the conflict for the 2026 championship goes headt to head.

Assuming that the final race weekends in the Middle East are planned as usual, Kimi Antonelli is well ahead of the pack after eight or nine points remain to be won. In addition, the Mercedes winner has been given a great chance of becoming the youngest in Formula 1 history with his win too, after he upped Seb Vettel.

George Russell, the Mercedes teammate of Antonelli has already admitted that he has found it difficult to be in the championship situation. If Russell wins all of the remaining races then Antonelli can still be considered as having a degree of control over the title.

Antonelli should be under no pressure at this juncture due to that.

The 20-year-old Italian, however, isn’t about to get over-excited. Several times he has downplayed interest in the championship and has always been at the helm of seeing each race weekend as it occurs. The same strategy should be followed, that’s what Verstappen thinks Antonelli must do.

Then when Verstappen and Lando Norris were asked for some tips to the young Mercedes driver, it became a bit of a joke – a possible comeback.

Call him or her back is requested by Mercedes driver Antonelli ahead of Verstappen’s ‘me too’ response that there would be a ‘Hope for a comeback in the future’ from the competitors.

“NO, I’m not coming back!” Verstappen replied.

The gaffe was a nod to the status Verstappen is in as a champion. The four-time world champion is very familiar with significant comebacks, but this season shall be quite a struggle altogether. But now, it’s not the points part of the title battle that’s a realistic prospect for Verstappen – but winning races.

Last season, Verstappen proved that a championship gap could be filled up speedily. He packed up in the summer and remained on the podium for all the grand prizes and ended up changing format in the standings.

Yet, this time he is aware that circumstances aren’t the same.

Antonelli has received clear directions from Verstappen, wanting to be told to ‘not rock the boat’.

“All Kimi has to do is what he’s doing.” The “wow” is here, it’s there and really working well, I mean,” Verstappen said.

The Red Bull rider also said the champion shouldn’t unnecessarily hound himself with constant thoughts of the current standings. He believes that the youngster from Mercedes should have gained the maturity and dependability that got him here and just keep going with that.

Verstappen said that isn’t the case as he does not complicate things just because he’s not doing that.

That’s one of Antonelli’s highlights of a season that has been one of his best. Although he’s in the beginning of his Formula 1 career, he has played consistently, and therefore accumulated a significant advantage in the championship.

There have, naturally, been goofs and rough patches but the overall performance is strong and he has been able to keep his level up with a much more experienced teammate and the known names seeking him out.

Norris was not only impressed with the Mercedes driver, but impressed.

The McLaren star said a lot – much of which centred on the fact Antonelli is beating a very seasoned teammate in Russell and is up 80 points on that account.

Norris also indicated that he didn’t particularly have anything to offer the inexperienced and capable Sicilian.

“He’s doing a scarily good job – and he just turned 20. “This is pretty spacebrawl,” said Norris.

The comments show how much Antonelli has progressed to become one of the Formula 1’s top drivers so quickly. He does not look like a lad just learning his trade for his second season, he’s been a regular competitor and has eliminated the allowable possibility of his opponents catching him up on the mistakes he’s made.

But the championship situation is one huge opportunity for Mercedes, as well. It’s essentially becoming a supporting act as the team has two drivers who can race at the front of the pack, but Antonelli’s current lead is making it more and more of a challenge.

Meanwhile, though much work remains to be done. With eight or nine race weekends in tow, a significant shift could occur, especially the points that go to the winners and top finishers.

Antonelli has thus endured a plethora of in-fighting spirit leaks and is now tasked with continuing on his path to success without giving way to the prospect of a first-time world title.

Finally, Verstappen’s statement brings to light the meteoric shift in power. An inexperienced 20-year-old driver is no longer being looked over as just another contender for the top spot, and is joining established world champions and top contenders on the list of title threats.

Norris thinks the contest may still be with us for a long time, with a field of giants to come, whilst meanwhile Verstappen is filing his poker face with humor about swapping tracks with him.

The easiest strategy for Antonelli is the one he has been using this season: Get focused, don’t beat yourself up about the championship and keep on shoving their six. As long as he continues in this form he will keep on keeping the pressure up on those who have to go and catch up.