Kimi Antonelli, the current Formula 1 championship leader, is set to appear as a cartoon character in the Italian Disney comic book *Topolino*. His animated alter ego, named Kimi Paperelli, will debut in a special issue timed with the upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
The character will feature in four self-contained short stories within issue 3693 of *Topolino*, which is scheduled for release on September 2, 2026. These stories will integrate Antonelli into the world of Duckburg, focusing on racing-related adventures.
Giovanni Barbieri and Stefano Petruccelli are credited as the writers for these stories. Alessandro Perina handled the illustrations and also designed the cover for the issue.
Antonelli expressed his connection to the publication, stating that *Topolino* was a significant part of his childhood.
‘Topolino was the magazine of my childhood, and I’m happy to find myself back in its pages today,’ Antonelli said. ‘If I really lived in Duckburg, I’d ride with Donald Duck in his legendary 313, because it’s a car I really like: it’s sporty, it has a character all its own. And I adore Donald Duck, I’m too fond of him.’
This initiative is part of a broader collaboration between Disney and Formula 1. Issue 3692 of *Topolino*, released on August 26, 2026, already included a special volume titled ‘Start your engines!’.
That volume featured a new five-episode series set within the Formula 1 world, where Disney characters navigate a mystery across circuits on five continents. Issue 3693 will also contain three additional standalone stories exploring F1 themes such as pit stops, race strategies, and regulatory inspections.
Furthermore, a scale model of an F1 car, developed from the Disney-Formula 1 partnership, will be available with issues 3693 and 3694. This model will be accompanied by a *Topolino* figurine depicting a team manager.
On track, Antonelli, a Mercedes driver, leads the 2026 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship. He has secured six victories this season, including his maiden F1 win at the Chinese Grand Prix. He currently holds a 59-point advantage over George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.
The upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza carries additional significance for Antonelli. A victory at his home race would mark the first time an Italian driver has won at Monza in 60 years, a feat last achieved by Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966.
Antonelli will face a grid penalty at Monza due to an engine change, marking his fifth power unit of the 2026 season. Mercedes has indicated this is a strategic decision, considering Monza’s characteristics for potential recovery drives.
Mercedes’ performance has seen a shift recently, with Antonelli noting that the team no longer possesses the fastest car on the grid. McLaren has shown strong form in recent rounds.
