Kimi Antonelli has addressed hypothesis of a possible future transfer to Ferrari, saying forward of the Italian GP that he’s ‘very completely happy’ at Mercedes.
Antonelli involves his house race in Monza main the Driver’s Championship, 59 factors away from teammate George Russell. The 20-year-old additionally is available in with a grid penalty hanging over his head, as he’s set to begin behind the grid after exceeding engine element limits.
Regardless, the hoards of passionate Italian followers will likely be happy to see the championship lead by one in every of their very own, even when he isn’t driving for Ferrari.
Naturally, the hypothesis a few potential Ferrari transfer sooner or later has solely elevated with Antonelli’s mounting success in 2026.
“Yeah, in fact,” Antonelli replied when he was requested if he has accepted that he’ll doubtless be linked to Ferrari all through his profession.
“Being an Italian myself, I understand how emotional we’re and the way excited we will get about issues. Typically overly excited.
“So, in fact there’ll at all times be this type of discuss.
“However on the finish of the day, as a lot as Ferrari is huge, unbelievable model, I’m very completely happy the place I’m. I’m very pleased with Mercedes as a result of they’re the one who gave me the chance since I used to be a child, and I really feel like I’ve a lot to offer again to them.”
Grid penalty ‘helps’ the house race stress
Antonelli will begin on the again in Sunday’s race with a brand new energy unit fitted in his W17. Although he admits he would reasonably be preventing for pole and a win in entrance of his house crowd, he acknowledged that the penalty will assist take a little bit of stress off the weekend. It additionally leaves Mercedes with extra room to experiment with totally different set-ups in observe.
“I feel in some methods it helps to alleviate stress,” Antonelli stated.
“Though, I’d very a lot reasonably struggle for pole and begin on the entrance, however in some methods I really feel prefer it makes me a bit extra relaxed going into the weekend.
“And I feel that’s why I’m going to have the ability to benefit from the driving extra and the weekend itself.
“Of couse, it’s a special alternative, it’s a possibility to attempt one thing totally different in the course of the weekend, totally different work methodology as effectively, in free observe particularly as a result of we have now the prospect to take action.”
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