Former Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has pointed out a key difference between Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli based on what he observed at the Bahrain Grand Prix held in Malaysia. During the race at the Sepang International Circuit, Antonelli made a mistake by clipping a bollard at the pit entrance corner, which nearly forced him into an unexpected additional pit stop.
After witnessing this incident, Villeneuve commented that if Antonelli and Verstappen were competing for the championship, the frequency of mistakes would play a crucial role since Verstappen seldom errs. Considering Antonelli’s recent errors, including a qualifying blunder in Azerbaijan and the close call in Sepang, Villeneuve advised Antonelli to be more cautious, warning that continuing to slip up could lead to a costly mistake.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Villeneuve said, “The biggest difference between Max and Kimi is that Verstappen very rarely makes mistakes. When he’s pushing for a top finish, he drives with incredible precision. We can see this not just between Verstappen and his teammate Isack Hadjar, but also when comparing Verstappen to Kimi Antonelli. Kimi slipped up on the final corner, ran straight ahead, and hit a bollard. He was lucky because if he’d gone around the bollard on the right, he would have had to pit, even though no tire change was planned.”
Villeneuve added, “If Verstappen and Antonelli were battling for the title, mistakes would be a major factor. Red Bull Racing has made progress, but unfortunately for Max, it’s too late this season. Antonelli can still control the World Championship because he knows he’s faster than George Russell, and there aren’t many races left. Even if Kimi retired three times in a row, he’d still lead the championship, but if he keeps making these errors, one of them will cost him dearly.”
Following his second-place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, Antonelli currently leads his teammate George Russell by 84 points with seven races remaining in the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Fan Take: This insight from Villeneuve highlights just how critical consistency is in the race for the World Championship. For racing fans, it signals that while raw speed is essential, the driver who can minimize mistakes under pressure will likely emerge victorious, making the upcoming races even more thrilling to watch.
Source: www.crash.net
