Kimi Antonelli brushed aside any speculation 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 surpassed every expectation, commanding a 59‑point lead in the Drivers’ Championship after just 12 rounds of his sophomore season.
His sensational form in 2026 has turned him into a household name in Italy, creating a potential conflict for the home crowd at the upcoming Italian Grand Prix, who traditionally rally behind the Scuderia. When asked about the persistent rumours that he could join Ferrari later in his career, Antonelli replied, “Being Italian, I know how passionate we are and how easily we get carried away.
There will always be chatter, but at the end of the day, Ferrari is an enormous, iconic brand and I respect that. However, I am extremely happy where I am right now.” He went on to stress his gratitude toward Mercedes, saying, “Mercedes gave me my chance when I was a kid, and I feel I have a lot to give back. I want to live up to that responsibility.” The conversation later shifted to Max Verstappen’s recent contract extension with Red Bull, a move that mirrors Verstappen’s own early‑career path.
Verstappen was only 17 when he entered Red Bull’s junior squad, Toro Rosso, in 2015 and was promoted to the senior team the following year. Now entering his tenth full season with Red Bull, Verstappen’s loyalty has become a talking point.
Antonelli drew a parallel, noting, “Max has an incredible relationship with Red Bull. They trusted him when he was very young and gave him a seat. He seems happy and believes in the project, so it makes sense he wants to stay.
If he ever decides to move on, that will be his choice, but as long as he’s content, why change?” He then turned the lens on his own future, stating, “I feel the same way about Mercedes. I have a lot to offer them, and if I remain happy, I can see myself staying for my whole career. Of course, you never know what the future holds, but the idea of a long‑term partnership appeals to me.” Despite the race being on home soil, Mercedes elected to serve Antonelli’s grid penalty for exceeding his allocated engine usage at Monza. Two separate engine issues earlier in the season made a penalty unavoidable, and the team chose Monza because it is historically a circuit where drivers can fight their way back through the field more easily than on tighter tracks.
Antonelli admitted that while he would rather qualify on pole, the penalty actually eases some of the pressure, allowing him to enjoy the weekend more fully. “It’s a different kind of challenge, a chance to try a new approach in practice and race strategy. I think it will make for an interesting weekend,” he said. Mercedes explained that the decision was strategic: by taking the penalty at his home race, the team reduces the expectations placed on Antonelli in front of an Italian crowd while preserving his championship lead.
At the moment, Antonelli sits 59 points clear of his teammate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, with McLaren’s Lando Norris trailing by 83 points in fourth place after winning the last two events. When pressed about his goals for the Monza weekend, Antonelli emphasized a realistic outlook. “The aim is always the same – maximise the result. In an ideal world, a top‑five finish is achievable, but it depends on pace, the gap to the cars ahead, and how the race unfolds.
Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull could be very close, so we need to be quick enough to challenge them.” He added that he feels mentally free and unburdened, which he believes will help him perform at his best. The schedule for the weekend is packed. Friday begins with F3 practice, followed by F2 sessions and the first Italian Grand Prix practice.
After qualifying sessions for the feeder series, the F1 Show airs, culminating in the team bosses’ press conference. Saturday features an F3 sprint, the third practice for the Grand Prix, an F2 sprint, and the build‑up to the main qualifying session. Sunday’s agenda includes the F3 and F2 feature races, a Porsche Supercup race, the Grand Prix build‑up, the race itself, and post‑race analysis, including Ted’s Notebook.
In summary, Antonelli’s message is clear: while he respects Ferrari’s heritage and the emotional pull it has on Italian fans, his loyalty lies with Mercedes, the team that nurtured his talent from a young age. He draws inspiration from Verstappen’s long‑term relationship with Red Bull and envisions a similar path with his current outfit. The penalty at Monza, rather than being a setback, is viewed as an opportunity to reduce pressure and showcase his skill from a different starting point.
As the championship battle intensifies, Antonelli’s composure and strategic mindset could prove decisive in maintaining his dominant lead.