Verstappen warns Antonelli about the work after an F1 title

Max Verstappen has warned Kimi Antonelli about the work that follows a first Formula 1 title, recalling that the media commitments after his own were “not nice”.

Antonelli, 20, became the youngest champion in F1 history on Sunday, finishing third behind Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. He has already spoken about the volume of off-track duties and attention that followed the title.

Verstappen, who has won four titles with Red Bull, recalled that commitments arrived almost immediately after his own first championship. He joked that he had probably still been drunk the next day. Winning the title was his dream, he said, and an extra day of media was something to deal with.

Fernando Alonso, a two-time champion, said the commercial and media operation around a title has grown since his own championships two decades ago. Back then, he recalled, a home press conference and a factory visit could be enough.

Verstappen said Antonelli was probably an even bigger hero in Italy, but described him as normal and humble and did not expect much to change for him.