Kimi ANTONELLI vs Max VERSTAPPEN
Did our AI pick the right driver?
Every prediction we publish ranks the full grid. For each round we take the driver we placed higher of these two, then check who actually finished higher.
A round is only scored when both drivers appear in the predicted order and both are classified in the result: a retirement is nobody's call. Published predictions are never edited afterwards.
The rivalry
Across 16 shared race weekends, Kimi Antonelli leads Max Verstappen 8–5 in Grand Prix finishes, 12–3 in qualifying sessions, and 4–1 in sprints. Driving for Mercedes, Antonelli has accumulated 320 points, eight wins, 13 podiums, and zero retirements, recording an average finish of 3.5 and an average qualifying position of 3.31. In contrast, Red Bull Racing's Verstappen sits on 188 points with one win, eight podiums, three retirements, an average finish of 4.69, and an average qualifying result of 5.27. Mercedes established early advantages through mechanical reliability and aerodynamic stability, allowing Antonelli to build his margin. Red Bull steadily introduced performance upgrades to enhance drivability, shifting the competitive balance in later rounds. At Sepang, Verstappen maximized these improvements to secure pole and his sole victory, overtaking Antonelli around the outside after a safety car restart. While Red Bull's developments have increased Verstappen's pace, Antonelli's complete finishing record and one-lap superiority maintain his decisive lead.
Round by round
2026 seasonCommon questions
Who is faster in qualifying, Kimi ANTONELLI or Max VERSTAPPEN?
Kimi ANTONELLI leads Max VERSTAPPEN 12–4 in qualifying head-to-head this season, counting only sessions where both drivers set a time.
Who has finished ahead more often, Kimi ANTONELLI or Max VERSTAPPEN?
Kimi ANTONELLI has finished ahead of Max VERSTAPPEN 8–6 this season, counting only races where both drivers were classified.