Verstappen and Antonelli: the incident that fuels rumors about them once again…

Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli seem to be the new duo in the paddock: here’s the latest episode sparking talk

Max Verstappen jokes — or maybe not so much. The Dutchman took pole position at Silverstone, but it wasn’t just his lap time making headlines: during his decisive lap, number 1 found Kimi Antonelli on his racing line, who led him from Copse corner through Maggots and Becketts, giving him a slight slipstream.

A helping hand, probably not decisive for Verstappen’s overall performance, but enough to provide a small advantage on a section where speed carries through the next three corners.

Verstappen completed the lap with a time that secured him pole position, reaffirming himself as (quoting Vanzini) “the man against the machines.” Yet many in the paddock noticed that moment with Antonelli ahead on track. The Dutchman didn’t miss the chance to embrace Kimi during the press conference, right in front of the cameras — a gesture that immediately reignited speculation about a possible Verstappen–Antonelli pairing at Mercedes in 2026.

“I honestly knew he was close, but coming out of Copse I didn’t want to give him an advantage. Surely I gave him a little bit of an advantage, but I didn’t pay much attention to it” – Kimi Antonelli

An unintentional move from the young Italian, who has nonetheless received multiple praises from the four-time world champion. The affectionate gesture between the two, especially in a public moment broadcast live worldwide, has strengthened their personal and media bond — a link that, according to rumors, could materialize in 2026 with Verstappen’s signing by Mercedes and Antonelli’s confirmation as a team driver.

With Toto Wolff continuing to praise the Bolognese talent and Verstappen’s future still shrouded in mystery, this scene at Silverstone could be remembered as a small new piece in an unprecedented, young, but very powerful duo in Formula 1.

Photo: Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team