Kimi Antonelli to Ferrari? Guenther Steiner predicts world champion’s future
Kimi Antonelli won the Italian GP
It is only a matter of time before Ferrari has an Italian world champion behind the wheel of its F1 car, with Guenther Steiner convinced Kimi Antonelli will drive for Ferrari “at some stage”.
However, the former Haas F1 team principal suggests it won’t happen any time soon.
Kimi Antonelli will join Ferrari ‘at some stage’
Italy celebrated its first Formula 1 champion in 73 years at the Mexican Grand Prix when Antonelli took an unassailable lead in the Drivers’ standings.
Such has been Antonelli rise that some pundits are already asking him when, not if, he’ll join Ferrari.
The 20-year-old has made it clear that for now at least his loyalty belongs to Mercedes, who promoted him to Formula 1 last season despite him being just 18 years old when he made his debut.
“Being an Italian myself, I know how emotional we are and how excited we can get about things. Sometimes overly excited,” Antonelli said.
“Of course, there will always be this kind of talk but, at the end of the day, as much as Ferrari is 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. Got to live with that.”
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Steiner, though, is convinced that it is only a matter of time before Antonelli is tempted over to Ferrari.
Citing his age, and with the Italian set for many more seasons in Formula 1, Steiner believes “at some stage” Antonelli will race for the Maranello team.
And Ferrari, he says, would welcome the 20-year-old with open arms.
“Some people ask why he is not driving for us,” the Italian told RacingNews365.
“That’s the only not-so-perfect thing for Italy; that there is an Italian champion not driving for Ferrari.
“But I think at some stage… Think about it, he’s 20 years old. He’s so young, so at some stage, in my opinion, he will drive for Ferrari.
“Will it be short term? No. It will be maybe 10 years out. But at some stage, obviously, as an Italian with this talent, he will get there.
“I would turn it around. They will get him. He could go tomorrow if he wants.”
For now, Steiner suggests his maiden championship marks the beginning the Antonelli era, one that will yield many more titles with Mercedes.
“Yes,” he emphatically replied when asked if this was just the beginning for Antonelli. “He’s there the first year of these new regulations.
“In motorsport, especially F1, you need to be at the right place at the right time, and he’s hit that – he’s at the right place at the right time.
“But Mercedes, with these regulations, are very strong. They are not dominating, which is good for everybody.
“It means he cannot be told ‘Just win, because you have got the best machine’.
“No, he wins because he’s got a good machine and he’s the best at the moment, but I’m pretty sure he will win a few more world championships.”
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