Kimi Antonelli brushed aside the persistent chatter that he might one day don a Ferrari‑red racing suit, insisting that he could easily imagine spending his entire Formula 1 career with Mercedes. The 20‑year‑old Italian prodigy has already shattered expectations, sitting 59 points clear at the top of the Drivers' Championship after just 12 rounds of his sophomore season. His dazzling form in 2026 has turned him into a household name across Italy, creating a curious dilemma for the nation’s passionate fans who traditionally rally behind the Scuderia at the Italian Grand Prix. When pressed about speculation that he could switch to Ferrari later on, Antonelli responded with characteristic humility and a touch of national pride: “Being Italian, I know how emotional we get and how quick we are to dream big.
Of course there will always be rumours, but at the end of the day, as massive and historic as Ferrari is, I’m genuinely happy where I am.” He went on to explain that Mercedes gave him his first real break in motorsport, and he feels a deep sense of loyalty to the team that nurtured his talent from a very young age. “They believed in me when I was just a kid.
I have a lot to give back, and I intend to stay here as long as I can,” he said. The conversation later shifted to Max Verstappen’s recent contract extension with Red Bull, a move that mirrors Antonelli’s own path of early promotion. Verstappen was 17 when he was handed a seat in Red Bull’s junior outfit, Toro Rosso, before being promoted to the senior team the following year. Now entering his tenth full season with Red Bull, Verstappen’s long‑term commitment serves as a blueprint for Antonelli’s aspirations with Mercedes.
“Max has a fantastic relationship with Red Bull. They trusted him when he was very young, and he’s stayed because he’s happy and believes in the project,” Antonelli observed. “If one day he wants a change, that’s his decision.
As long as he’s content, there’s no reason to move.” He echoed the same sentiment for his own future: “If Mercedes continues to make me happy, I can see myself staying for my whole career.” Despite the emotional pull of his home race, Mercedes made a strategic decision to allocate Antonelli a grid penalty at Monza for exceeding his engine allocation this season. Two separate engine issues earlier in the year made a penalty inevitable, and the team chose Monza because it is historically one of the circuits where a driver can claw back positions more easily from the back of the grid.
Antonelli admitted that while he would love to fight for pole, the penalty actually eases some of the pressure surrounding his performance at the Italian Grand Prix. “It lets me relax a bit and enjoy the weekend more,” he said.
“It also gives us a chance to try a different approach during free practice, which could be interesting.” Mercedes explained that the move was designed to reduce expectations on Antonelli at his home event, allowing him to focus on extracting the maximum result without the weight of the crowd’s hopes. The strategy appears to be working; Antonelli still leads the championship by a comfortable margin, sitting 59 points ahead of his teammate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, while McLaren’s Lando Norris trails in fourth place, 83 points adrift after winning the last two races. When asked about his goals for the Monza weekend, Antonelli remained pragmatic: “The aim is always the same – to get the best possible 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. Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull are all very close, so we have to be quick and consistent.” He added that he feels mentally free and excited heading into the race, with no undue pressure weighing on his shoulders. The schedule for the Italian Grand Prix weekend is packed. Friday starts with Formula 3 practice at 7:30 am, followed by Formula 2 practice at 8:55 am, and the first F1 practice session at 11:00 am (officially beginning at 11:30 am).
Qualifying for F3 takes place at 12:55 pm, with F2 qualifying at 1:50 pm, and the second F1 practice session at 2:35 pm. The afternoon concludes with The F1 Show at 4:15 pm and a press conference with team principals at 5:20 pm.
Saturday’s agenda includes an F3 sprint at 8:25 am, the third F1 practice session at 11:15 am, an F2 sprint at 1:10 pm, and the build‑up to qualifying at 2:15 pm. The main qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix starts at 3:00 pm, followed by a special segment called Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 5:00 pm. Sunday is the climax: F3 feature race at 7:10 am, F2 feature race at 8:40 am, Porsche Supercup race at 10:40 am, and the Grand Prix build‑up at 12:30 pm.
The race itself kicks off at 2:00 pm, with the chequered flag and post‑race reaction at 4:00 pm, and another edition of Ted’s Notebook at 5:00 pm. All sessions are also broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event. In summary, Antonelli’s message is clear: while the allure of Ferrari is undeniable for any Italian driver, his loyalty lies with Mercedes, the team that gave him his start and continues to support his growth.
He respects Verstappen’s long‑term partnership with Red Bull and sees a similar future for himself at Mercedes, provided the environment remains positive and competitive. The upcoming Monza race will test his ability to manage a grid penalty, but Antonelli feels the situation may actually benefit his mindset, allowing him to enjoy the race weekend without the usual home‑race pressure. Fans can watch the action live on Sky Sports F1 or stream via NOW, with the option to cancel at any time.