The Rivals You Admire

Max Verstappen, Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton show that admiration and ambition do not cancel each other out, even among direct Formula 1 rivals.

By Miki | F1Unchained

Max Verstappen had just won the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang. Kimi Antonelli had finished second. Moments later, still wearing their helmets, the two drivers embraced in an immediate show of respect.

These are two drivers from different teams and at very different stages of their careers. One is a four-time world champion who has spent years setting the standard. The other is 20 years old, pursuing his first championship and learning how to handle the pressure that comes with leading the standings.

At Sepang, they were rivals until the finish line. After it, they shared a genuine moment of appreciation.

To me, this is what true sportsmanship looks like.

ANTONELLI IS STUDYING THE DETAILS

Antonelli’s admiration for Verstappen is not based only on championships and victories. He studies what Max does inside a race.

Before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Antonelli spoke about Verstappen’s ability to read developing situations, position his car and recognize an opening almost immediately. He used their battle in Madrid as an example, explaining how quickly Max saw a gap and turned the moment to his advantage.

Antonelli has also noticed how Verstappen can find more performance when it matters. A Red Bull may look ordinary in practice, but when qualifying arrives, Max can suddenly produce something that did not appear to be available.

That is useful admiration. Antonelli is not trying to become “the next Verstappen.” He is identifying the skills that separate an excellent driver from one of the best of his generation.

Verstappen has publicly recognized Antonelli’s progress as well. When asked what advice he would give him, Max kept it simple: “Kimi just needs to do what he’s doing.”

That is not a prediction or a coronation. It is an established champion acknowledging that the young driver’s current approach is working.

HAMILTON LEFT MORE THAN AN EMPTY SEAT

Lewis Hamilton’s role in this story adds another layer.

Antonelli grew up watching Hamilton and later observed him from inside the Mercedes organization. Before making his Formula 1 debut in 2025, he admitted that racing against Lewis felt surreal.

“It feels pretty surreal to be able to race with someone such as Lewis,” Antonelli said.

Hamilton responded with the same warmth. He spoke about the years of dedication required to reach Formula 1 and said he was happy to see Antonelli receive his opportunity.

The most personal example came before Hamilton left Mercedes for Ferrari. He wrote Antonelli a note and left it in the motorhome room the young Italian would inherit. Antonelli finally read it during the 2025 Imola weekend.

He did not reveal the full message, and that privacy should be respected. What he did explain was that the note showed Hamilton’s human side, included advice and gave him motivation. Antonelli placed it on the wall so he could see it whenever he entered the room.

That detail matters.

Hamilton was leaving the team. Antonelli was taking the seat he had occupied for more than a decade. They were about to become opponents, yet Lewis still took the time to leave something useful behind.

SUPPORT ENDS WHEN THE RACING BEGINS

None of this means Verstappen or Hamilton is stepping aside.

Antonelli has been clear about that boundary. He said both champions had been kind and supportive since he entered Formula 1, but added: “We’re still competitors at the end of the day.”

That line defines the balance.

Max and Lewis can encourage Antonelli without giving him every answer. Kimi can admire them without surrendering a corner, a victory or a championship. When the lights go out, he is trying to beat both of them.

At Sepang, Verstappen won by 2.307 seconds. Antonelli finished second, with Hamilton joining them on the podium in third. The photograph came afterward, when the competition had ended for the day.

RESPECT DOESN’T WEAKEN THE FIGHT

The embrace does not represent a passing of the torch. Verstappen remains at the center of the fight. Hamilton is still chasing victories and adding to his own story. Antonelli is building a career that must eventually stand on its own.

That is what makes the moment meaningful.

A young driver can learn from the champions he watched, earn their recognition and still line up determined to beat them. Admiration and ambition do not cancel each other out.

Sometimes, they are what make the rivalry worth watching.

That is sportsmanship without surrender.

— Miki

What’s your take: which Formula 1 rivalry best shows that admiration and fierce competition can exist at the same time?

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