Kimi Antonelli, Ferrari’s rising star: “Seeing him in red is a dream”

Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s triumph in Formula 1 has reignited the dream—even within Ferrari—of seeing an Italian driver behind the wheel of the Scuderia. This was revealed by Piero Ferrari, vice president of the Maranello team and son of Enzo, who made no secret of his admiration for the young talent from Bologna, fresh off an extraordinary season with Mercedes.

In an interview with the Swiss newspaper Blick, Ferrari clearly expressed his desire: “I want nothing more than to see Kimi in the red suit. At every race, he reminds me of our Niki Lauda.” It’s a significant comparison, demonstrating just how much the 20-year-old has impressed one of the leading figures of the Ferrari family.

What particularly struck Piero Ferrari is the maturity Antonelli has shown despite his young age. The Bolognese driver has been able to handle the pressure, minimize mistakes, and make the most of the Mercedes car’s potential, even managing to hold his own against his teammate George Russell.

Seeing Antonelli in the red racing suit, however, won’t be easy in the near future. The Italian driver is tied to Mercedes and Toto Wolff, who has invested in him for several years, guiding him all the way to the world championship title. It’s a solid relationship, one that’s set to continue in the coming seasons.

For now, therefore, Piero Ferrari’s words represent above all a statement of esteem and a desire shared by many Italian fans. But with a 20-year-old who is already a world champion and a career still to be written, the possibility of a future at Maranello continues to fuel the imaginations of fans.