Guenther Steiner: Kimi Antonelli Belongs in Ferrari After Monza Triumph

Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner has expressed a strong belief that Kimi Antonelli, currently a Mercedes driver and the championship leader, rightfully belongs in a Ferrari after his remarkable victory at the Italian Grand Prix. This sentiment underscores Antonelli's rising profile and the intense national pride associated with the iconic Italian racing team.
Steiner's Vision: Antonelli's Ferrari Future
At the historic Monza circuit, the 20-year-old racing prodigy, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, clinched his seventh career Grand Prix win, achieving this feat despite starting from the 19th position. This momentous triumph marked a significant milestone, as he became the first Italian driver in six decades to win the Italian Grand Prix. Guenther Steiner, during a recent appearance on "The Red Flags Podcast," shared his perspective on Antonelli's impressive performance and future potential.
Steiner emphasized the deep-rooted connection Italians have with Ferrari, often viewing it as the national team. He noted that Antonelli's exceptional talent, particularly his Monza victory, makes him an ideal candidate for Ferrari, despite currently driving for Mercedes, Ferrari's primary competitor. "It's 60 years since the last time an Italian won [at Monza]. It's a long time and you forget how to win. And obviously, for Kimi, being in a Mercedes doesn't help him to get popular," Steiner explained, acknowledging the paradox of Antonelli's current team affiliation versus his national identity. He added, "What he does is extraordinary and he should be in a Ferrari. That would be the ideal world."
Antonelli's win at Monza further solidified his position at the top of the drivers' championship standings, where he now holds a commanding 66-point lead over his Mercedes teammate, George Russell, who sits in second place. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton trails in third, 10 points behind Russell. With the Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring circuit on the horizon, Antonelli has already demonstrated strong form, recording the fastest lap times in the second and third practice sessions and placing second in FP1 behind Russell. Qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, at 4 PM local time (3 PM UK time).
Kimi Antonelli's sensational performance at Monza, coupled with Guenther Steiner's strong endorsement, highlights a captivating narrative in Formula 1: the emergence of a prodigious talent with undeniable national appeal. His potential move to Ferrari, as envisioned by Steiner, would not only represent a dream scenario for many Italian fans but also symbolize a powerful homecoming for a driver who has already etched his name into the sport's history books. The question of whether Antonelli will eventually don the iconic red of Ferrari remains a tantalizing prospect for the future of Formula 1.