Kimi Antonelli may have conquered Formula 1 in spectacular fashion, but Martin Brundle believes the newly crowned world champion still has one major obstacle standing between him and becoming the undisputed best driver on the grid. The Sky Sports commentator has delivered a remarkable assessment of Antonelli’s historic championship campaign, placing the Mercedes youngster second in his personal driver rankings while maintaining that Max Verstappen remains the ultimate benchmark in Formula 1.
Antonelli’s incredible 2026 season has already rewritten the history books. At just 20 years and 68 days old, the Italian became the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history, ending a championship drought for Italy that stretched back to Alberto Ascari in 1953. His achievement has transformed expectations surrounding Mercedes’ future and established him as one of the most exciting talents in modern motorsport.
However, Brundle’s latest comments have introduced another fascinating dimension to the championship discussion. While he firmly rejected suggestions that Antonelli simply benefited from Mercedes’ dominant machinery, he believes Verstappen would have emerged victorious if both drivers had competed in identical cars.
MARTIN BRUNDLE REFUSES TO DISMISS ANTONELLI’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Antonelli’s championship victory has inevitably generated debate about how much of his success was attributable to Mercedes’ superior performance during the opening stages of the season.
Mercedes enjoyed a remarkable start to the campaign, winning six Grands Prix during the early stages, with Antonelli claiming five of those victories. The team’s dominance continued through the opening 11 races, collecting eight wins before the summer break.
Such performances naturally raised questions about whether Antonelli’s championship was primarily a consequence of having the strongest machinery.
Brundle, however, believes that interpretation significantly underestimates the Italian’s achievements.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the former Formula 1 driver acknowledged that Mercedes enjoyed a particularly competitive car during the first half of the season. Nevertheless, he pointed out that George Russell had access to the same machinery and could not match Antonelli’s championship-winning consistency.
According to Brundle, Antonelli repeatedly delivered when opportunities presented themselves, demonstrating a level of composure and execution that separated him from his teammate.
His assessment suggests that possessing a dominant car is only part of the championship equation. Drivers must still convert competitive machinery into victories, manage pressure and avoid mistakes when the consequences are enormous.
ANTONELLI’S MONACO VICTORY BECOMES A DEFINING MOMENT
One of the performances that particularly impressed Brundle was Antonelli’s victory at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Monaco remains one of the most demanding events on the Formula 1 calendar, requiring exceptional precision throughout practice, qualifying and the race itself. The narrow streets leave little room for mistakes, while the pressure surrounding the event can expose even experienced drivers.
Antonelli’s performance demonstrated that he could handle those demands without allowing the occasion to overwhelm him.
Brundle described the Italian as faultless during the Monaco weekend, highlighting his ability to maintain control and deliver under intense pressure.
That victory was especially significant because it helped establish Antonelli as more than a talented rookie benefiting from a competitive car. It showed that he could navigate one of Formula 1’s most unforgiving circuits and emerge with a result that strengthened his championship ambitions.
For Mercedes, Monaco offered another indication that the young driver possessed the mental qualities required to become a long-term championship leader.
MAX VERSTAPPEN REMAINS BRUNDLE’S ULTIMATE BENCHMARK
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Despite Antonelli’s historic achievement, Brundle has not changed his opinion about the strongest driver in Formula 1.
The Sky Sports commentator believes Max Verstappen remains the best driver on the grid and would have won the 2026 championship had he been driving a Mercedes.
Brundle explained that Antonelli would still have challenged Verstappen considerably, potentially giving the Dutchman a tougher battle than he had experienced against previous teammates.
Nevertheless, he believes Verstappen’s ability to extract extraordinary performance from machinery that is not always the strongest gives him a decisive advantage.
This assessment reinforces the reputation Verstappen has built throughout his career. His performances during difficult periods for Red Bull have frequently demonstrated that he can remain competitive even when the car is not operating at its maximum potential.
Brundle’s verdict also makes clear that winning a championship and being considered the best driver are not necessarily identical achievements.
Antonelli has earned the championship through his performances across the season, but Verstappen’s reputation for maximising opportunities continues to influence how experts evaluate the grid.
ANTONELLI IS NOW BRUNDLE’S SECOND-BEST DRIVER
Brundle did not simply praise Antonelli’s championship victory. He went further by placing the Italian second in his assessment of Formula 1’s current driver hierarchy.
That is a remarkable endorsement considering Antonelli is only 20 years old and has completed his first championship-winning season.
Brundle described him as the driver who made the very best of the opportunities available to him throughout the campaign.
The distinction is important because it recognises Antonelli’s ability to turn Mercedes’ competitive advantage into consistent results.
His dominance against Russell also strengthened his reputation. The British driver entered the season with considerable expectations but ultimately finished 130 points behind his younger teammate.
That gap has inevitably raised questions about Mercedes’ internal hierarchy heading into the next campaign.
Antonelli’s championship victory means he will no longer be viewed simply as a promising young driver. He will now enter every race as the reigning world champion, with expectations that he can continue delivering victories and potentially establish a long-term dynasty.
VERSTAPPEN’S DIFFICULT START MADE HIS RECOVERY EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE
Verstappen’s 2026 campaign began in considerably less impressive fashion than his previous championship-winning seasons.
Red Bull struggled to deliver competitive machinery during the opening races, leaving the Dutchman fighting for opportunities rather than immediately challenging for victories.
His first podium of the season arrived at the Canadian Grand Prix, by which point he was already 88 points behind Antonelli.
That deficit placed him in a difficult position early in the championship and made a title challenge considerably more complicated.
However, Verstappen gradually recovered as Red Bull improved its performance. His results during the second half of the season demonstrated that he remained capable of competing near the front despite the difficulties experienced earlier in the year.
His victory at the Mexican Grand Prix further reinforced that point, even though Antonelli secured the championship with a podium finish.
The recovery also provides additional context for Brundle’s assessment. Verstappen’s ability to remain competitive while overcoming significant performance limitations is one of the reasons he continues to receive such strong recognition from former drivers and commentators.
GEORGE RUSSELL FACES A DIFFICULT MERCEDES FUTURE
<AsyncImage query=”George Russell Mercedes Formula 1 2026 driver portrait” aspectRatio=”16:9″/>While Antonelli celebrates becoming world champion, Russell faces a considerably more complicated situation.
The British driver entered the season with ambitions of fighting for the championship, but Mercedes’ extraordinary success ultimately belonged to his younger teammate.
Russell’s 130-point deficit highlights the scale of Antonelli’s advantage and places increased pressure on him to respond next season.
The situation could become particularly interesting if Mercedes continues producing championship-winning machinery.
Russell remains an experienced and highly capable driver, but his position within the team could become increasingly difficult if Antonelli maintains his current level of performance.
Mercedes will also have to manage the relationship between its two drivers carefully. Championship-winning teams often face the challenge of balancing individual ambitions with the wider objectives of the organisation.
If Russell believes he can still compete for the title, the prospect of another season against Antonelli could produce a fascinating internal battle.
RED BULL MUST SOLVE ITS PROBLEMS BEFORE VERSTAPPEN CAN CHALLENGE ANTONELLI
Brundle’s comments also place significant attention on Red Bull’s preparations for the next championship.
Verstappen’s individual ability is not in question, but the team’s performance during the opening stages of 2026 demonstrated how difficult it can be to challenge Mercedes when the machinery is not competitive enough.
Red Bull will need to make substantial progress if it hopes to provide Verstappen with a consistent opportunity to fight Antonelli throughout an entire season.
The challenge is particularly important because Mercedes has already demonstrated its ability to produce a championship-winning package.
If Red Bull closes the performance gap, Verstappen could become Antonelli’s most serious rival in 2027.
That possibility would provide a compelling test of the young Italian’s championship credentials. Winning a title with a competitive Mercedes is one achievement, but defeating Verstappen in equally competitive machinery would strengthen his reputation considerably.
THE 2027 CHAMPIONSHIP COULD SET UP A VERSTAPPEN-ANTONELLI SHOWDOWN
<AsyncImage query=”Kimi Antonelli Mercedes and Max Verstappen Red Bull Formula 1 rivalry race” aspectRatio=”16:9″/>The possibility of a direct championship battle between Antonelli and Verstappen is already one of the most intriguing storylines heading into 2027.
Antonelli has established himself as the reigning champion, while Verstappen remains determined to add another world title to his collection.
Their potential rivalry would represent a fascinating contrast between two generations of Formula 1 excellence.
Verstappen possesses years of championship experience, an extraordinary record of consistency and a reputation for aggressive, uncompromising racing.
Antonelli, meanwhile, represents the next generation of championship contenders, bringing exceptional speed, confidence and the momentum of a historic title victory.
If Mercedes and Red Bull produce similarly competitive cars, the difference between the two drivers could become one of the defining questions of the season.
Brundle’s verdict has already established the narrative: Antonelli is now among Formula 1’s elite, but Verstappen remains the driver everyone must defeat.
FINAL VERDICT: ANTONELLI HAS WON THE TITLE, BUT VERSTAPPEN STILL HAS SOMETHING TO PROVE
Martin Brundle’s assessment offers an important reminder that Formula 1 greatness is measured through more than championship statistics.
Antonelli deserves enormous credit for becoming the youngest world champion in history, particularly after demonstrating the consistency and composure required to defeat an experienced teammate.
However, Verstappen’s reputation remains firmly intact despite Red Bull’s difficult start to the season.
The next championship could ultimately provide the answer to Brundle’s biggest question.
If Verstappen receives machinery capable of challenging Mercedes throughout the season, Antonelli may discover that defending his crown against the four-time champion represents an entirely different challenge.
For now, the Italian has the championship trophy, while Verstappen retains the recognition of being Brundle’s number one driver.
And with the 2027 season approaching, Formula 1 fans could be heading towards one of the most compelling championship rivalries of the modern era.
