Andrea Kimi Antonelli understands why Max Verstappen is staying longer at Red Bull. The four-time world champion announced on the Thursday before his last home race that he had extended his contract with the Austrian team until 2030. Still, Kimi Antonelli finds it somewhat unfortunate: “I wouldn’t mind having him as a teammate,” he says cautiously.
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Max Verstappen will remain with Red Bull until 2030. This was announced by the four-time world champion and his team on the Thursday before the last Dutch GP. This also immediately ends speculation about Verstappen’s future. Earlier this season, the driver was linked to McLaren and Mercedes, among others.
For Andrea Kimi Antonelli – who is under contract with Mercedes until the end of the current season – Verstappen’s contract extension was no surprise. “I also can’t imagine Max turning his back on Formula 1,” he told the media at Zandvoort. “I wouldn’t mind having him as a teammate. It would have been a big challenge for me, but also motivating, because by competing with the best drivers, you get the best insight into your own level.”
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The Italian is certainly keen on the idea of having Verstappen as a teammate one day. “And who knows, maybe that will happen sometime in the future,” Kimi Antonelli continues. “But I am also very happy with Russell as my teammate. He has a lot of experience and is also a fast driver. He really helped me grow during my time in Formula 1.”
Long time at Mercedes
Still, Verstappen’s contract extension at Red Bull is also inspiring for the young driver. By the time the Dutchman’s new contract ends in 2030, he will have been driving for the Austrians for fifteen years. “Mercedes is like a second family, so I see myself driving here for a long time as well,” Kimi Antonelli would like to follow in Verstappen’s footsteps. “It would be great to also become a kind of symbol for the team, just like Max is at Red Bull. When I think about the distant future, who knows, never say never, but what I want is to win with Mercedes.”
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Read everything about the Dutch GP in Zandvoort here
