‘Mad Max’ To His Foes, ‘Dad Max’ To The Rookies: A Peek Inside Verstappen’s Rookie Bromance

Last Updated:December 12, 2025, 11:39 IST

Max Verstappen, known as F1's apex predator, became the supportive "dad" to 2025 rookies Kimi Antonelli and Gabriel Bortoleto, mentoring them on and off the track.

Max Verstappen with Kimi Antonelli after their Austrian GP crash (X)

Max Verstappen might be the most feared man in Formula 1 — the shark in open water, the horror-movie villain who keeps getting back up, the apex predator every team principal warns you about.

Just ask Zak Brown.

But to the 2025 rookie class? He’s… ‘dad’.

In a wholesome moment on F1’s own interview panel, 2025 newcomers Ollie Bearman, Kimi Antonelli, Gabriel Bortoleto and Isack Hadjar couldn’t stop gushing about the support they’ve received from the same man who terrorizes the track every Sunday.

Max Verstappen: Monster on Track, Mentor Off It

Fresh off a 2025 season he calls his best ever — despite missing title No. 5 by just two points — Verstappen hunted down Norris all the way to the final lap in Abu Dhabi.

He was relentless, ferocious, vintage Max.

But fans got a glimpse of another version of the Dutchman this year: calm, kind, and unexpectedly nurturing.

Take, for instance, Austria. Max and Antonelli were involved in a brutal first-lap crash, the kind that usually unleashes “Mad Max."

But instead, Verstappen climbed out and went straight to comfort the rattled rookie.

Their bond only grew in the chaos that followed.

At the Qatar GP, Antonelli was hammered online — and even questioned by Red Bull — after claims he “gifted" Norris two crucial points by not fighting a position harder.

Unfortunately for Max, those two points eventually decided the championship.

But Verstappen stepped in again.

After the race — and after Abu Dhabi — Max defended the Italian publicly, shut down the criticism, dapped up the apologetic Italian in a warm embrace, and dropped the now-iconic line: “Mate, don’t. It’s all good, don’t worry."

Apex predator. Big brother. Unexpected father figure.

For all the talk about Verstappen the unstoppable force, 2025 showed us another side: Verstappen the mentor, the guy who looks out for the next generation.

Keep hunting, Max. And keep stealing hearts while you’re at it.

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