Kimi Antonelli brushed aside any speculation that he might one day switch to Ferrari, insisting that he could easily imagine spending his entire Formula 1 career with Mercedes. The 20‑year‑old Italian prodigy has far exceeded the lofty expectations placed on him, leading the Drivers' Championship by a commanding 59 points after just twelve races in only his second season at the top level.
His sensational form throughout the 2026 campaign has turned him into a household name in Italy, sparking a potential conflict of loyalty for Italian fans who traditionally rally behind the Scuderia at the Monza Grand Prix. When asked whether he might don the famous red colours later in his career, Antonelli replied with a mixture of patriotism and pragmatism: "Being an Italian myself, I know how emotional we are and how excited we can get about things. Sometimes we get a little over‑enthusiastic. Of course there will always be that kind of chatter, but at the end of the day, as massive and iconic as Ferrari is, I am very happy where I am.
I am very happy with Mercedes because they gave me the opportunity when I was a kid, and I feel I still have a lot to give back to them. I want to live with that." Later in the interview the young driver was asked about Max Verstappen’s recent contract extension with Red Bull, noting that Verstappen was also signed as a teenager.
Antonelli explained that Verstappen’s path mirrors what he envisions for himself: "Max has an incredible relationship with Red Bull. They were the ones who put him in a car at a very young age and trusted him.
He seems happy with the team and believes in the project, so it makes sense that he wants to stay. If one day he decides to move on, that will be his choice, but as long as he’s content, why change? I feel the same way about Mercedes.
I have a lot to give them, and if I stay happy, I could see myself staying for my whole career. Of course, you never know what can happen, but that’s my outlook." Despite the race being on home soil, Mercedes elected to serve Antonelli’s grid penalty for exceeding his seasonal engine allocation at Monza. Two separate engine failures earlier in the year made a penalty inevitable, and the team judged Monza to be one of the circuits where a driver can most effectively claw his way back through the field.
Antonelli admitted that while he would rather fight for pole, the penalty actually eases some of the mental pressure: "In some ways it helps to release pressure, although I would very much rather start at the front. But it also makes me a bit more relaxed going into the weekend, so I can enjoy the driving and the event more.
It gives us a different kind of work method in free practice because we have the chance to try something new. I think it will be a very interesting weekend." Mercedes explained that the decision was strategic: serving the penalty at his home race reduces the spotlight on Antonelli while he still holds a sizeable lead in the championship. At the time of the interview he led both his teammate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton by 59 points, with McLaren’s Lando Norris trailing in fourth place, 83 points behind after winning the previous two races.
Antonelli added his perspective on the ultimate goal for the weekend: "The aim is always the same – we try to maximise the result. In an ideal world, a top‑five finish is realistic, but it also depends on our pace and the gaps to the other cars. We might be quick, but Ferrari, McLaren or Red Bull could be so close that it’s not enough to catch them during the race. We’ll see, but I feel mentally free heading into this weekend.
Very excited, looking forward to it, but without real pressure." The Italian Grand Prix weekend schedule is packed with support series and media events. On Friday, September 4, the day starts with an F3 practice session at 7:30 am, followed by F2 practice at 8:55 am, then the first F1 practice at 11:00 am (officially beginning at 11:30 am). After a short break, F3 qualifying takes place at 12:55 pm, F2 qualifying at 1:50 pm, and the second F1 practice at 2:35 pm (starting at 3:00 pm). The afternoon concludes with the F1 Show at 4:15 pm and the team bosses’ press conference at 5:20 pm.
Saturday, September 5, kicks off with an F3 sprint at 8:25 am, then the third F1 practice at 11:15 am (starting at 11:30 am). The F2 sprint follows at 1:10 pm, leading into the build‑up to qualifying at 2:15 pm. The main qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix starts at 3:00 pm, with a post‑qualifying analysis segment – "Ted’s Qualifying Notebook" – at 5:00 pm. Sunday, September 6, is the race day.
The schedule begins with 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. At 12:30 pm the Grand Prix build‑up begins, followed by the Italian Grand Prix itself at 2:00 pm. The chequered flag falls at 4:00 pm, after which the post‑race reaction and "Ted’s Notebook" segment air at 5:00 pm.
All sessions are also available on Sky Sports Main Event. For viewers, the race will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, and the feed can be streamed via NOW without a long‑term contract, allowing fans to cancel at any time.
The Monza circuit, known for its high‑speed straights and historic significance, will host the showdown between the rising star Antonelli and the established forces of Ferrari and Red Bull. While the Italian crowd may hope to see a home‑grown driver in the red livery, Antonelli’s loyalty to Mercedes appears firm, rooted in the support he received from the team since his karting days. Whether he remains at Mercedes for his entire career or eventually embraces the allure of Ferrari remains an open question, but for now his focus is on delivering strong results, enjoying the race weekend, and continuing the remarkable momentum that has defined his early years in Formula 1.