Sky Sports F1 analyst Karun Chandhok argues that Kimi Antonelli’s decision to race for Mercedes rather than the Scuderia Ferrari has significantly reduced the weight of expectation on the 20‑year‑old driver. Antonelli entered the Mercedes junior academy at the tender age of eleven after an impressive karting career, and his rapid ascent through the feeder series saw him replace Lewis Hamilton at the Silver Arrows just last season. At the moment Antonelli leads the Drivers' Championship by a commanding 66 points over his teammate George Russell as the Spanish Grand Prix approaches at the new Madring circuit in Madrid.
If he maintains his form, he is on track to become the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history. Antonelli’s father, Marco, has previously disclosed that talks were held with Ferrari, but the Italian team balked at signing a teenager. Mercedes, by contrast, were prepared to take the gamble on a prodigy still in his teens. Chandhok explained on the latest episode of The F1 Show: “I actually think that by not making him a Ferrari junior, by not putting him in front of the Ferrari brand and not trying to mould him into a Ferrari young driver, the decision to go down the Mercedes route is the best thing Marco has done for his son.
It has taken the pressure off in so many ways.” He added, “Can you imagine if he were an Italian driver for Ferrari? The scrutiny would be unimaginable. Mercedes have done a fantastic job of nurturing him and bringing him to where he is today.” After the race, Chandhok spotted Antonelli’s parents and sister beside the Mercedes motorhome, visibly thrilled that the youngster had clinched a victory on home soil.
“They looked so delighted,” he recalled, “and I couldn’t help but think that not being a Ferrari driver has spared them a lot of anxiety.” Other headlines have surrounded the young Italian’s meteoric rise. Lewis Hamilton recently remarked that there is “no stopping” Antonelli, even as Ferrari appears to have abandoned any immediate plans to secure his services for the 2026 title fight. Meanwhile, McLaren’s Lando Norris has called for amendments to the Virtual Safety Car regulations after a controversial incident denied him a win against Antonelli.
The Spanish Grand Prix itself turned into a chaotic spectacle, with Antonelli emerging victorious after a safety‑car deployment robbed Norris of the lead. The race highlighted the new Madring layout, prompting drivers and team principals to discuss possible tweaks to improve overtaking opportunities for the 2027 season. In a recent interview, Antonelli downplayed speculation about a future move to Ferrari, stating, “As much as Ferrari is a massive, incredible brand, I am very happy where I am.” Nevertheless, Chandhok expressed a wish that the Italian might someday wear the red colours. “For the sake of the sport and for Ferrari, I hope—perhaps ten or fifteen years from now, after Kimi has achieved a great deal—he could become a Ferrari driver.
It would be wonderful for the Scuderia to have him.” Antonelli’s performances have stunned the paddock. His most eye‑catching feat came at Monza, where he started 19th on the grid and fought his way to the top step of the podium, a drive that captured global attention. Sky Sports F1’s David Croft labeled him a “generational talent” who remains grounded.
Croft recounted a light‑hearted moment from the weekend: “At the start of the event, his team played a prank, launching cream pies at him as part of a birthday surprise. Most drivers wouldn’t have tolerated that, but Kimi loved it. He’s comfortable with the team, both on‑track and off‑track, and that ease is a breath of fresh air for Formula 1.” Chandhok also highlighted how the modern driver development system has shaped Antonelli’s career. “He’s been groomed from a very young age as a complete professional—how to work with a large team, how to navigate a complex organisation.
Today’s youngsters are signed to junior programmes at ten, eleven, twelve, and they are molded early. Compare that with the previous generation—Fernando Alonso or Michael Schumacher didn’t sign professional contracts until they were already in F3. So it’s not surprising that Kimi arrives as a more finished package, having spent a decade within a professional structure, something his predecessors lacked.” The upcoming Spanish Grand Prix weekend is packed with action.
Thursday, September 10, will feature a drivers’ press conference at 2 p.m. and an uncut paddock interview at 5 p.m. Friday, September 11, includes F3 practice at 8:50 a.m., F2 practice at 10 a.m., and the first Spanish Grand Prix practice session beginning at 12:30 p.m., followed by F2 qualifying at 12:55 p.m.
The team bosses’ press conference is scheduled for 2:40 p.m., with the second practice session at 3:45 p.m., F3 qualifying at 5:20 p.m., and The F1 Show at 6:20 p.m. Saturday, September 12, sees an F3 sprint at 10 a.m., the third Spanish Grand Prix practice at 11:30 a.m., an F2 sprint at 1:10 p.m., and the build‑up to qualifying at 2:15 p.m. The Spanish Grand Prix qualifying session will commence at 3 p.m., followed by the F3 Feature Race 1 at 4:55 p.m. and Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 6 p.m.
Sunday, September 13, concludes the weekend with the F3 Feature Race 2 at 8:40 a.m., the F2 Feature Race at 10:20 a.m., a Grand Prix build‑up at 12:30 p.m., and the main Spanish Grand Prix race at 2 p.m. The chequered flag ceremony and post‑race reaction will take place at 4 p.m., with Ted’s Notebook wrapping up the coverage at 5 p.m. (Qualifying will also be shown on Sky Sports Main Event.) Sky Sports F1 will broadcast every session live from Friday, and fans can stream the coverage via NOW, with no long‑term contract required and the option to cancel at any time.
The combination of Antonelli’s talent, Mercedes’ nurturing environment, and the reduced pressure of not being a Ferrari protégé creates a compelling narrative as the young driver aims to cement his place in Formula 1 history.