Kimi Antonelli brushed aside the chatter that he might one day wear the famous red of Ferrari, insisting that he could easily imagine spending his entire Formula 1 career with Mercedes. The 20‑year‑old Italian prodigy has already shattered expectations, commanding a 59‑point lead in the Drivers' Championship after just 12 races of his sophomore season. His dazzling form in 2026 has turned him into a household name across Italy, creating a curious situation for the home crowd at this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, who traditionally rally behind the Scuderia. When asked about the persistent speculation that he could switch to Ferrari later on, Antonelli answered with a blend of national pride and personal loyalty: "Being Italian, I understand how emotional we can get, sometimes perhaps too enthusiastic.
Of course there will always be that kind of talk, but at the end of the day, while Ferrari is a massive, incredible brand, I’m very happy where I am. I’m very happy with Mercedes because they gave me the chance when I was a kid, and I feel I still have a lot to give back to them.
I have to live with that." He made it clear that his gratitude toward the German outfit outweighs any romantic notion of a future move to Maranello. The conversation then shifted to Max Verstappen’s recent contract renewal with Red Bull, a deal that mirrors Antonelli’s own path—both drivers were signed as teenagers and have grown into the cornerstone of their respective teams. Verstappen entered Red Bull’s junior squad Toro Rosso at 17 in 2015 and was promoted to the senior team the following year.
Now, in his tenth full season with Red Bull, Verstappen enjoys a strong partnership with the team that nurtured his talent. Antonelli drew a parallel, saying, "I think Max has an incredible relationship with Red Bull.
They trusted him at a very young age and gave him a seat. He seems happy there and believes in the project, so it makes sense he wants to stay. If one day he wants a change, that will be his decision, but as long as he’s content, why not?" He then turned the lens back on himself: "I feel the same way about Mercedes.
I have a lot to offer them, and if I stay happy with the team, I could see myself staying for my whole career. Of course, you never know what can happen, but that’s the mindset right now." Antonelli’s remarks highlighted a common theme in modern F1: drivers are increasingly looking at long‑term relationships built on mutual trust, development opportunities, and a shared vision, rather than merely national affiliation. Despite the race being held on home soil, Mercedes chose to serve Antonelli a grid penalty at Monza for exceeding his allocated engine usage this season.
Two separate engine issues earlier in the year made a penalty inevitable, and the team decided that Monza—renowned for its long straights and overtaking opportunities—offered the best chance for Antonelli to recover positions after starting from the back. "In some ways it relieves pressure," he admitted, "although I would rather fight for pole and start at the front. Still, it lets me relax a bit heading into the weekend, and I can enjoy the driving more.
It also gives us a chance to try a different approach in free practice because we have the chance to experiment. I think it will be a very interesting weekend." Mercedes explained that the strategic penalty not only eases the mental burden on their young star during his home race but also preserves his substantial points lead. At the moment Antonelli is 59 points ahead of his teammate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, while McLaren’s Lando Norris sits 83 points behind in fourth after winning the last two races. Antonelli emphasized his focus on results rather than headlines: "The goal is always the same—maximise the result.
In an ideal world, a top‑five finish is realistic, but it also depends on our pace and the gaps to Ferrari, McLaren or Red Bull. We might be quick, but they could be close enough that catching them in the race is tough.
We'll see, but I feel mentally free heading into this weekend, very excited, and with no real pressure." The weekend schedule is packed with support series and media events. Friday begins with F3 practice at 7:30 am, followed by F2 practice at 8:55 am, and the first Italian Grand Prix practice session at 11 am (starting at 11:30 am local time). Later in the day, F3 qualifying takes place at 12:55 pm, F2 qualifying at 1:50 pm, and the second F1 practice at 2:35 pm. The afternoon concludes with the F1 Show at 4:15 pm and the Team Bosses' press conference at 5:20 pm.
Saturday features an F3 sprint at 8:25 am, the third practice session for the Grand Prix at 11:15 am, the F2 sprint at 1:10 pm, and the build‑up to qualifying at 2:15 pm. Qualifying itself starts at 3 pm, followed by a special segment called Ted's Qualifying Notebook at 5 pm. Sunday’s program includes the F3 feature race at 7:10 am, the F2 feature race at 8:40 am, and the Porsche Supercup race at 10:40 am. The Grand Prix day kicks off with a pre‑race build‑up at 12:30 pm, the Italian Grand Prix itself at 2 pm, the chequered flag ceremony at 4 pm, and post‑race analysis with Ted's Notebook at 5 pm.
All sessions are also broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event. For fans wanting to watch, the Italian Grand Prix will be streamed live on Sky Sports F1, and the race can also be accessed via NOW with a flexible, no‑contract subscription. Antonelli’s candid comments, his strategic penalty at Monza, and his unwavering commitment to Mercedes provide a compelling narrative as the young Italian looks to cement his dominance while navigating the expectations of his home country and the ever‑evolving landscape of Formula 1.