Schumacher expects Verstappen to relish possible Antonelli rivalry
Archive photograph: Max Verstappen · 2024-08-25Archive photo · 2024-08-25 · Steffen Prößdorf · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ralf Schumacher says Verstappen would treat being beaten by a rival as a spur to improve, not a reason to grow bitter.
Ralf Schumacher expects Max Verstappen to relish a possible rivalry with Kimi Antonelli. On the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, Schumacher said Verstappen does not become bitter when another driver beats him; instead, he wants to improve. Schumacher called that a strong quality of the four-time F1 champion.
Schumacher hopes Verstappen keeps that attitude. He does not expect the Dutchman to struggle when a younger driver emerges, though he believes tensions between the two will eventually rise.
Red Bull’s recovery came too late for Verstappen to pose a serious threat to Antonelli in the 2026 title fight. Schumacher nevertheless expects the pair to cross paths for years to come.
Sources 01
- SOURCESchumacher prijst Verstappen om 'sterke eigenschap'RacingNews365 Nederland
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Antonelli expected Verstappen to remain a difficult rival through 2026 and probably in 2027