Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner has asserted that Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli deserves a seat at Ferrari following his spectacular victory at the Italian Grand Prix.
Antonelli secured his seventh career Grand Prix victory at Monza, starting from 19th on the grid and making history as the first Italian driver to win the event in six decades.
Steiner shared his thoughts on the 20-year-old’s remarkable performance during an appearance on The Red Flags Podcast.
Steiner explained that Ferrari is the national team, widely supported by the Italian public, and with no Italian driver competing for them, Antonelli’s emergence has captured the nation’s imagination. "It has been 60 years since the last Italian driver won at Monza. It is a long time, and you almost forget how to win," the former team principal noted. He added that driving for Mercedes does not help Antonelli gain popularity in his home country, as Mercedes is Ferrari’s chief rival.
"Mercedes is the biggest opponent of Ferrari, and he drives for them. So, while you still hope your team wins, this kid in the other team is the Italian guy playing for another football team, and he is pretty good," Steiner remarked.
Steiner concluded that Antonelli’s extraordinary performances merit greater support from Italian fans, stating, "I think he deserves more fans. What he does is extraordinary, and he should be in a Ferrari. That would be the ideal world."
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photo by: Clive Rose / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Antonelli’s commanding win at Monza further extended his lead in the drivers’ championship. He now sits 66 points ahead of his teammate George Russell, who occupies second place in the standings, while seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton follows in third, 10 points behind Russell.
Looking ahead, the Italian driver’s focus shifts to the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring circuit. Antonelli showcased strong pace, clocking the fastest times in both the second and third practice sessions, and finishing second-fastest in FP1 behind Russell.
Qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix is scheduled for 4pm local time (3pm UK time) on Saturday, September 12.
