Kimi Antonelli is ready to turn into Italy’s first System 1 driver since Antonio Giovinazzi, getting into probably the most high-profile seats on the grid as he joins Mercedes for the 2025 season. The younger expertise has been chosen to succeed Lewis Hamilton, although he insists he doesn’t see himself as a direct alternative for the seven-time world champion. Nonetheless, given Hamilton’s six titles with the Brackley-based outfit, comparisons between the 2 will probably be inevitable.
Antonio Giovinazzi, the final Italian to race in F1, made his debut with Sauber in 2017 as a stand-in for Pascal Wehrlein earlier than securing a full-time seat in 2019 underneath the Alfa Romeo banner. Over 62 Grand Prix begins, he collected 21 factors, with a career-best end of fifth place. Antonelli, nevertheless, has loftier ambitions—his purpose isn’t just to compete however to win races and struggle for world championships, aligning completely with Mercedes’ long-term imaginative and prescient.
Italy has a wealthy motorsport heritage, but it surely has been almost 20 years since an Italian driver final claimed victory in F1. Giancarlo Fisichella stays the nation’s most up-to-date Grand Prix winner, having triumphed on the 2006 Malaysian GP—a consequence that marked Italy’s forty third win within the sport. Much more remarkably, the nation has not produced a world champion since Alberto Ascari secured back-to-back titles in 1952 and 1953, a drought that Antonelli will probably be hoping to assist finish.
Kimi Antonelli Highlights Distinctive British-Italian Dynamic with Hamilton’s Ferrari Transfer
Whereas Antonelli is making the transition to the UK-based Mercedes squad, Hamilton is making the reverse journey, becoming a member of Italy’s most iconic group, Ferrari. The British driver’s arrival in Maranello has sparked enormous pleasure, notably as Ferrari has not had a full-time British driver since Eddie Irvine, who raced alongside Michael Schumacher between 1996 and 1999 and secured 4 victories throughout his tenure.
The record of British drivers to have raced for Ferrari additionally contains legends akin to Nigel Mansell, John Surtees, and Mike Hawthorn. Surtees and Hawthorn each secured world titles with the Scuderia, although their championships got here within the early years of the game. Now, Hamilton and Antonelli every have the chance to interrupt long-standing information—Hamilton aiming to turn into the primary Briton to win a championship with Ferrari in over six many years, whereas Antonelli hopes to reestablish Italy’s presence on the high of F1.
Kimi Antonelli expressed his amazement on the uncommon dynamic of an Italian driver becoming a member of Mercedes whereas a British driver heads to Ferrari, describing the scenario as “a bit loopy.” Talking to Sky Sports activities, he shared his pleasure about his personal place in System 1, acknowledging the numerous consideration surrounding his arrival on the grid. He additionally remarked on the unimaginable nature of Lewis Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari, predicting that it might generate immense enthusiasm, notably on the Italian Grand Prix.
Antonelli’s prediction in regards to the Italian Grand Prix seems to be spot on, as organizers at Monza are going through a rare surge in ticket demand forward of the race in September. The anticipation surrounding the occasion is increased than ever, fueled by main driver strikes and the presence of an Italian driver on the grid for the primary time in years.
The ‘Close to-Legendary’ Kimi Antonelli Trait That Has Mercedes Excited
Even earlier than making his aggressive debut, Antonelli has already turn into a extremely regarded determine inside Mercedes. Having joined the group’s driver academy at simply 11 years outdated, he has spent years growing underneath their steering and has now earned his place in System 1.
Described by one journalist as an exceptionally “likeable man,” Antonelli has constructed a stable repute each on and off the observe. Mercedes, nevertheless, have been cautious to handle expectations, emphasizing that whereas his potential is big, they don’t wish to burden him with extreme stress too quickly.
Regardless of this cautious method, the group’s long-term perception in Antonelli is obvious. In contrast to George Russell, who needed to show himself at Williams earlier than securing a Mercedes seat, Antonelli was fast-tracked straight into the works group—a powerful indication of how extremely they price him.
What has notably impressed these inside Mercedes is his means to push the boundaries in older-spec automobiles throughout testing. His dedication and talent in these intensive take a look at runs have already earned him what some describe as “near-legendary” standing. With 1000’s of miles underneath his belt in preparation for his System 1 debut in Australia, Antonelli is primed to make an influence proper from the beginning.
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