Kimi Antonelli continues to impress in the 2026 Formula 1 season, and is already drawing comparisons with some of the greatest names in the sport’s history. For former driver Riccardo Patrese, the Mercedes youngster has developed a stance reminiscent of champions like Max Verstappen, Michael Schumacher, and Ayrton Senna, something he believes is fundamental to securing titles.
The Italian believes Antonelli has undergone a significant shift in his mindset compared to last season. According to Patrese, the young Italian driver has left behind the timidity he displayed in his debut season and has begun to exhibit a far more pronounced confidence within the competitive environment of the sport.
The evolution in results also reinforces this perception. Antonelli has won four of the five races held so far this year, and leads the drivers’ championship with a 43-point cushion over his teammate, George Russell. The margin widened after the British driver retired at the Canadian Grand Prix, when both were contesting the victory directly.
Even with a comfortable lead in the standings, the scenario remains far from decided. With seventeen rounds left on the calendar, the Mercedes driver still has a long road ahead, although currently it is Russell who needs to claw back ground in the title fight.
In analyzing the moment the young Italian is experiencing, Patrese highlighted the attitude shift as one of the most important factors for his growth. For the former driver, a certain amount of arrogance is part of the personality of someone who aspires to reach the top of Formula 1.
“He is no longer shy and is now even arrogant at times. But you have to be like that. Verstappen is like that. In the past, people like Schumacher, Senna and other drivers from their eras were in the same group and were also a little arrogant,” he stated.
Despite the praise, Patrese noted that the title fight could still be influenced by several factors throughout the season. Among them are the reliability of the cars and the technical development of competing teams in the following months.
The former driver specifically cited the progress demonstrated by McLaren, which, in his assessment, made a meaningful performance leap in Miami. He also recalled that Lando Norris showed strength in that race, but even considering all variables of the contest, he revealed whom he would bet on if he had to pick a champion: “We need to see what happens regarding the car’s reliability and also with the other contenders. They keep developing their cars. McLaren made a big step forward, especially in Miami, where Norris looked very strong, but if I had to place a bet, I would personally bet on Kimi,” Patrese concluded.
