Antonelli Commits Future to Mercedes, Dismisses Ferrari Speculation Ahead of Italian GP

Kimi Antonelli has downplayed suggestions of a future move to Ferrari, insisting he could envision spending his entire career with Mercedes.

The 20-year-old Italian has produced a remarkable sophomore campaign, leading the Drivers’ Championship by 59 points after 12 rounds of only his second Formula 1 season.

Antonelli’s outstanding 2026 form has significantly boosted his profile in Italy, placing home supporters in a potentially difficult position ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, where loyalty would traditionally belong to Ferrari.

When asked about expectations that he might eventually join Ferrari, Antonelli responded: “Being an Italian myself, I know how emotional we are and how excited we can get about things. Sometimes overly excited.

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“Of course, there will always be this kind of talk but, at the end of the day, as much as Ferrari is a massive, incredible brand, I am very happy where I am.

“I am very happy with Mercedes because they are the ones who have given me the opportunity since I was a kid, and I feel like I have so much to give back to them. I have to live with that.”

Antonelli Welcomes Verstappen-Red Bull Longevity

Antonelli was also asked for his perspective on Max Verstappen’s recent decision to extend his contract with Red Bull, a team that similarly brought the Dutchman into Formula 1 as a teenager.

Verstappen was 17 when he received a seat at Red Bull’s then-junior squad, Toro Rosso, in 2015, before being promoted to the senior team the following season.

The 2026 campaign marks Verstappen’s tenth full season with Red Bull, and Antonelli envisions a similar trajectory for himself at Mercedes.

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“I think Max has an incredible relationship with Red Bull,” Antonelli said. “They were the ones to put him in a car at a very young age. They were the ones to show that trust.

“I feel like he’s happy in the team, from what I can see. He probably wants to stay with them. He probably believes in this project as well. So, I think he has every reason and every right to stay with Red Bull.

“And if one day he wants to change, then it’s going to be up to him. But as long as he’s happy where he is, why not?

“I will do the same with Mercedes. I feel like I have, first of all, so much to give them. And if I remain happy with them throughout my career, I will probably stay with them for my whole career as well.

“So, let’s see. Of course, you never know what can happen.”

Grid Penalty Removes ‘Real Pressure’ for Antonelli at Monza

Despite this being Antonelli’s home race, Mercedes have selected Monza as the venue for him to serve a grid penalty for exceeding his engine allowance for the season.

Two separate engine-related issues earlier in the year made it inevitable that Antonelli would have to take a penalty at some stage, and Monza is considered one of the circuits where it is easiest to fight through the field from the back of the grid.

“In some ways it helps release pressure, although I would very much rather fight for pole and start at the front,” Antonelli said.

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“But, in some ways, I feel like it makes me a bit more relaxed going into the weekend, and that’s why I will be able to enjoy the driving and the weekend itself more.

“Of course, it’s also a different opportunity, a chance to try something different during the weekend. A different working method in free practice especially, because we have the chance to do so.

“I think it’s going to be a very interesting weekend.”

Mercedes had previously explained that the decision had the potential to relieve pressure on Antonelli, both by lowering expectations at his home event and by allowing him to serve the penalty while he retains a substantial lead at the top of the standings.

Antonelli leads both his Mercedes teammate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton by 59 points, with McLaren’s Lando Norris a further 83 points back in fourth after winning the last two races.

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Antonelli added: “Of course, the goal is always the same and we’re going to try and maximise the result.

“In an ideal world, I think realistically a top five is achievable. But it’s also driven by your pace, how fast you are. What’s the gap between cars? We might be really quick, but Ferrari or McLaren or Red Bull might be very close, making it not enough to catch them during the race.

“We’ll see, but I feel very free mentally going into this weekend. Very excited, very much looking forward to it, but with no real pressure.”

Sky Sports F1’s Italian GP Live Schedule

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Friday September 4
7.30am: F3 Practice
8.55am: F2 Practice
11am: Italian Grand Prix Practice One (session starts at 11.30pm)*
12.55pm: F3 Qualifying
1.50pm: F2 Qualifying
2.35pm: Italian Grand Prix Practice Two (session starts at 3pm)
4.15pm: The F1 Show
5.20pm: Team Bosses’ Press Conference

Saturday September 5
8.25am: F3 Sprint
11.15am: Italian Grand Prix Practice Three (session starts at 11:30am)
1.10pm: F2 Sprint
2.15pm: Italian Grand Prix Qualifying build-up
3pm: ITALIAN GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING*
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook

Sunday September 6
7.10am: F3 Feature Race
8.40am: F2 Feature Race
10.40am: Porsche Supercup Race
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Italian GP build-up
2pm: THE ITALIAN GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag: Italian GP reaction
5pm: Ted’s Notebook

*also on Sky Sports Main Event

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