Verstappen and Norris on Antonelli: 'Think we've fed his ego enough'

00:24, 04 May

byNorberto Mujica

Andrea Kimi Antonelli has made some new fans in Miami, among them are 4-time world champion Max Verstappen and McLaren lead driver Lando Norris.

In the end, a repeat of his shock pole yesterday, wasn't to be for young Antonelli. Nevertheless Verstappen is still very impressed with him, and believes that this is just the beginning for the Italian rookie.

'Antonelli will only get better and better in F1'

"I'm not surprised. But again, when you just start in Formula 1, there's so much to learn and to already be at this pace is very impressive, but I'm not surprised at the same time. It [his performance] will only get better, to be honest. I think it's as simple as that."

As for Norris, the fact that the Mercedes rookie is able to beat the German team's senior driver, George Russell, it's evidence of the type of performance he's able to achieve.

"I think I fed his ego enough. I mean, it's a similar thing. He's in Formula One for a reason, you know. Everything else he did in his car racing career has been very strong."

"He's got a very good teammate, you know, a teammate that beat Lewis over the last couple of years. So if he's now able to beat that teammate in being George, then he's clearly doing a very good job."