(Motorsport-Total.com) – Kimi Antonelli is increasingly attracting attention with his performances in Formula 1. After his impressive victory at the beginning of September at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, former Haas team principal Günther Steiner also believes that the Mercedes driver should actually be driving for Ferrari.
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Antonelli celebrated his seventh Grand Prix victory in Monza and at the same time made Italian motorsport history. The 20-year-old started the race only from 19th place after a penalty but fought his way through the field and secured the win. This made him the first Italian in 60 years to win the home Grand Prix in Monza.
Steiner spoke on “The Red Flags Podcast” about the special significance of the success for Antonelli. After all, Ferrari is Italy’s “national team,” explained the former Haas team principal.
“He should be sitting in a Ferrari”
“Ferrari is the national team, and everyone cheers for Ferrari. And now this young man comes along, although there was no Italian driver,” said Steiner. “It has been 60 years since an Italian last won. That is a long time, and you forget how to win. And of course, it doesn’t help Kimi become popular that he drives for Mercedes.”
The problem from Steiner’s point of view: Mercedes is one of Ferrari’s biggest rivals. Accordingly, it is difficult for Italian fans to fully support Antonelli despite his nationality.
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“Mercedes is Ferrari’s biggest opponent, and he drives there. So you still hope your team wins, but this young man on the other football team is this Italian. And he is pretty good,” Steiner continues.
Antonelli deserves even more support
Antonelli therefore deserves even more support in Steiner’s view. “I think he deserves to have more fans. What he is doing is extraordinary, and he should be sitting in a Ferrari. That would be the ideal world.”
Antonelli’s victory in Monza also had direct effects on the World Championship standings. The Mercedes driver extended his lead in the Drivers’ World Championship and is now 66 points ahead of his teammate George Russell. The Briton is in second place, while record world champion Lewis Hamilton is third, ten points behind Russell.
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