Andrea Kimi Antonelli has addressed speculation regarding a potential future move to Ferrari, stating that he does not rule out such a possibility in Formula 1. The 20-year-old Italian driver, currently leading the 2026 Drivers’ Championship, acknowledged the global stature of Ferrari.
Antonelli, who made his Formula 1 debut with Mercedes in 2025, is currently enjoying a strong season. He has secured eight victories from the first 14 races of the 2026 campaign. This performance places him 81 points ahead of his Mercedes teammate, George Russell.
His recent triumph at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza was particularly notable, as he won from 19th on the grid. This achievement marked the first time an Italian driver had won their home race since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966.
Despite these comments, Antonelli reaffirmed his strong commitment to Mercedes. He expressed gratitude for the opportunities the team has provided since he joined their Junior Programme at the age of 12.
‘I am very happy to be at Mercedes, also because I feel I owe them a debt for all the opportunities they have given me. They were the ones who believed in me when I was only 12 years old.’
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has previously indicated that Antonelli and Russell are expected to remain with the team for the 2027 season. Wolff also suggested that Ferrari should have pursued Antonelli years ago if they were interested.
The prospect of an Italian driver competing for Ferrari holds significant weight for the ‘tifosi’, the passionate Ferrari fanbase. Antonelli’s success has reignited this long-held aspiration for an Italian champion in a Ferrari car.
Ferrari’s current driver lineup for 2026 and beyond includes Charles Leclerc, who has a multi-year contract extending past 2030. Lewis Hamilton joined the Scuderia in 2025 on a multi-year agreement that covers at least the 2027 season.
Carlos Sainz, who departed Ferrari after the 2024 season, joined Williams for 2025. He has since secured a new multi-year contract with Williams, confirming his presence with the team until at least the end of the 2027 season.
Antonelli’s rapid ascent saw him skip Formula 3, moving directly from Formula Regional to Formula 2 before his F1 debut. He became the youngest driver to lead the F1 World Championship during his 2026 campaign.
