<\/p>\n
The Mercedes Driver secured the 2026 Drivers\u2019 Championship after finishing third at the Mexican Grand Prix behind Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Antonelli won nine races and secured another seven podium finishes during the season.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I had to choose one driver, I\u2019d say Max. Max is the one who might cause the most problems,\u201d Antonelli said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Verstappen missed the 2025 championship by two points and moved into second place during the latest campaign after Red Bull recovered from a difficult start.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
However, Antonelli expects Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes Teammate George Russell to join the title contest.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI think next year will be a very close fight among all of us, among all the top teams, because we are already very close,\u201d Antonelli said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Red Bull continued improving through upgrades during the 2026 season, allowing Verstappen to challenge for stronger results.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
McLaren\u2019s performance fluctuated after an earlier period of substantial progress, while Ferrari maintained a regular presence near the front.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ferrari won two races during 2026, while McLaren Driver Lando Norris secured three victories.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking at Red Bull, with all the upgrades Red Bull brought, Red Bull kept improving,\u201d Antonelli said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cMcLaren had a period when McLaren made huge gains, then a spell when McLaren perhaps struggled more, but now McLaren has bounced back. Ferrari is always there.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Russell will also seek to recover from an inconsistent 2026 campaign and challenge for a maiden Drivers\u2019 Championship.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Antonelli said a title battle involving Verstappen, Russell, Norris, Hamilton and Charles Leclerc would create a highly competitive season.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would be amazing to have a fight among all of us from the top teams,\u201d Antonelli said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it will be a very close fight.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
–F1\/ChannelAfrica–<\/p>\n
Image: Reuters<\/p>\n
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