Kimi Antonelli's dad has already cleared up Ferrari chat and view on Toto Wolff...

Kimi Antonelli’s dad has already cleared up Ferrari chat and view on Toto Wolff…read more.

Mercedes’ faith in Kimi Antonelli, the young Italian racer, has been evident for years, and now, at just 18, he’s set to step into the spotlight as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement for the Silver Arrows at the Italian Grand Prix. Despite growing up near Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello and early ties with the Prancing Horse, Antonelli’s path has been firmly aligned with Mercedes. His father, Marco Antonelli, played a crucial role in guiding him toward this decision and has reflected on why they never looked back after joining the Mercedes Junior Program.

Kimi Antonelli, born in Bologna, has been part of the Mercedes junior setup since 2019. He started his racing career in karting, where Ferrari first took notice of his talent. At the time, Massimo Rivola, then the head of the Ferrari Driver Academy and now the CEO of Aprilia Racing in MotoGP, expressed interest in including Antonelli in Ferrari’s program. However, Ferrari eventually decided not to make an offer, citing his young age as a factor that made it difficult to assess his potential. That was the last significant contact the Antonelli family had with Ferrari regarding Kimi’s racing future.

Marco Antonelli, a former racer himself who competed in the European Touring Car Championship, recognized the challenges of motorsport and carefully considered Mercedes’ proposal when they came calling five years ago. The decision to align his son with Mercedes has since proven to be the right one, with Kimi steadily progressing through the ranks under the guidance of Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.

Marco reflects on those early years, explaining that the relationship with Ferrari effectively ended before Kimi had even joined the Mercedes Academy. “He was racing with the Ferrari brand when he made his karting debut,” Marco said in an interview with the Italian outlet *Fanpage*. “At the time, Massimo Rivola wanted to include him in the program straight away. But then they told him he was too young to make an assessment. That was the only time there was contact with Ferrari, so we’re talking about before I received that call from Mercedes.”

Since joining Mercedes, Kimi Antonelli’s development has been nurtured by the team’s Junior Program. His rapid rise through the ranks reflects the investment Mercedes has made in him, and his father couldn’t be more pleased with his progress. “I’m delighted with how Kimi has progressed,” Marco said, emphasizing the value of the decision they made five years ago.

However, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Earlier this year, Toto Wolff openly admitted to feeling he had mismanaged the young driver. Wolff, who is known for his hands-on approach, acknowledged that he might have exposed Antonelli too much to the media, potentially adding unnecessary pressure. Despite Wolff’s regret, Marco Antonelli isn’t concerned about the impact on his son.

“Kimi doesn’t feel this pressure because he’s focused on his goal, which is to win races,” Marco said confidently. “And so I don’t have to do anything to protect him because there’s no need.” The comment underscores the mental resilience that Kimi has developed over the years. As a young driver in one of the most high-stakes sports in the world, the ability to block out external distractions is essential, and Kimi appears to have mastered that skill.

Wolff’s apology to the Antonelli family reflects the complexities of managing young talent in Formula 1. The Mercedes boss has long been known for his meticulous approach to team management, and his admission of a mistake in handling Kimi shows the level of care he has for the young driver’s future. Nonetheless, Marco believes that his son’s focus on performance shields him from any undue media scrutiny.

As Kimi prepares for his Formula 1 debut at the Italian Grand Prix, the spotlight on him will only intensify. Yet, the foundations laid by Mercedes and his father’s steady hand should serve him well as he embarks on the next stage of his racing career. With Mercedes backing him and a clear goal in mind, Kimi Antonelli’s journey in Formula 1 is just beginning. His father’s faith in Mercedes, combined with Kimi’s determination, could pave the way for a bright future in the sport, one that might even rival the successes of the legends who have come before him.