According to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, Kimi Antonelli is ‘an incredible asset’ to Formula 1. The young Italian has emerged this season from Mercedes rookie to a formidable leader in the World Championship battle; at the time of the summer break, Antonelli enjoys a fifty-point lead over his closest rival Lewis Hamilton. Domenicali is also grateful that Italian fans once again have a national driver to cheer for.
Read more VIDEO: Aston Martin films with brand new Honda engine, first signs promising
“Regarding the action on the track, an important story this season is Antonelli’s success,” Domenicali said in a retrospective for F1.com. “The teenager is the youngest driver ever to lead the championship and has already achieved six wins.” According to the CEO, the rise of the just 19-year-old Mercedes driver is ‘really great’ for the premier class. “He is fresh, brings something new to Formula 1, and is open to everything that comes his way.”
‘Kimi Antonelli important for Italian fans’
The young Antonelli has gained a large fan base since his debut in 2025. “He handles the sport fantastically,” Domenicali explained. “On a sporting level, he has also already proven that he is incredibly strong. Don’t forget that he has already retired twice; otherwise, his lead would have been much greater. Everyone can simply see that he performs very solidly. That is also very important for the Italian fans. The last time an Italian driver won something noteworthy was a very, very long time ago.”
Read more Flavio Briatore advocates for more spectacle: ‘Would organize a sprint race every weekend’
Although Antonelli leaves all his rivals behind, he is also popular within the driver field, Domenicali explains. “That will change if he wins the championship, but that is just the nature of our sport,” he added. “For now, I am just incredibly happy with the way he commits to the sport. I have known him for a long time and he is clearly an incredible asset for the future.”
Read more David Coulthard predicts Aston Martin breakthrough: ‘Within two years they will win races’
Read everything about the Dutch GP in Zandvoort here
