Max Verstappen has offered support for Kimi Antonelli following the Mercedes driver's qualifying crash in Azerbaijan, emphasizing that people overlook just how young the championship leader is. The Red Bull driver's comments came after Antonelli's costly mistake in Q1 that left him 16th on the grid.
Verstappen's backing highlights the pressure facing the 20-year-old Italian, who despite leading the championship has faced scrutiny over occasional errors this season. The three-time world champion's perspective carries significant weight given his own experience of performing under intense pressure as a young driver.
The support comes as Antonelli continues to establish himself in Formula 1 while carrying the burden of championship leadership. His crash in Baku represented a rare significant mistake from a driver who has generally impressed during his breakthrough season with Mercedes.