Ferrari has come under fresh criticism for missing out on Andrea Kimi Antonelli, with legendary MotoGP manager Carlo Pernat accusing the Italian team of being out of touch after the Mercedes driver’s historic 2026 Formula 1 World Championship triumph. The experienced motorsport figure also drew remarkable comparisons between the newly crowned champion and two of racing’s most beloved personalities: Ferrari legend Gilles Villeneuve and MotoGP icon Valentino Rossi.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli has become the 2026 Formula 1 World Champion, ending Italy’s 73-year wait for a Drivers’ Championship title. At just 20 years old, the Mercedes driver has also become the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history, surpassing the record previously held by Sebastian Vettel, who claimed his maiden title at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix aged 23.
His extraordinary achievement has prompted widespread praise, but Carlo Pernat believes the young Italian possesses qualities that extend far beyond his performances behind the wheel. Speaking exclusively to FormulaPassion.it, the veteran manager reflected on his experiences with Ferrari, the development of Andrea Kimi Antonelli under Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and the personal characteristics that remind him of some of motorsport’s greatest figures.
Carlo Pernat compares Kimi Antonelli to Ferrari legend Gilles Villeneuve
Carlo Pernat has played an important role in the history of motorcycle Grand Prix racing, helping manufacturers such as Cagiva and Aprilia achieve historic successes while nurturing talents who would go on to shape Italian and international motorsport. Among the most famous names associated with his career are Valentino Rossi, Max Biaggi and Loris Capirossi.
However, his extensive experience has not been limited entirely to motorcycle racing. During his conversation with FormulaPassion.it, the Genoa-born manager recalled his connections with Formula 1, particularly Ferrari, and shared several memories from one of the most difficult periods in the Scuderia’s history.
“Having been involved in sport for such a long time, I’ve had some connections with Formula 1, particularly with Ferrari,” Carlo Pernat explained. “I got a foot in the door in 1980, during Jody Scheckter’s final year. There was the T5, which wouldn’t have gone anywhere even if you pushed it. He had won the title the previous year, and Piaggio sent me there because, through Piaggio-Vespa, we sponsored the drivers’ racing suits. So I became somewhat involved with the various personalities around at that time. I remember all the mechanics, Belentani, Cucciolo, Tomeini, and then Piccinini and Forghieri.”
Those experiences gave Carlo Pernat a direct connection to Ferrari’s past, including the era of Gilles Villeneuve. It is precisely the Canadian driver, rather than another frequently mentioned Formula 1 legend, who comes to mind when the Italian manager considers Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s character.
“Kimi reminds me a little of Villeneuve as a person,” Carlo Pernat explained. “Of course, it was a different era. There were manual gearboxes and everything was somewhat different, but I honestly see a certain similarity with Villeneuve. Obviously, when I met Gilles, he already had a wife and a child, but in the years before that he was someone like Kimi.”
“Everyone talks about Senna. Fair enough, that may be true, but I see him more as Gilles Villeneuve. An exceptional talent who was also a level-headed young man, comfortable in a family environment, a decent person and always willing to help, just like this young man. When you’re that age and this kind of fame comes your way, it’s incredible. You need great inner strength.”
The comparison is particularly significant given the lasting affection Ferrari supporters hold for Gilles Villeneuve. Although the Canadian never won the Formula 1 World Championship, his personality and performances made him one of the most celebrated drivers in Maranello’s history. His achievements can be explored through the Gilles Villeneuve Ferrari career records and statistics.
Carlo Pernat criticises Ferrari for losing Kimi Antonelli to Mercedes
Beyond his admiration for the young champion, Carlo Pernat also delivered a particularly sharp assessment of Ferrari’s approach to developing Italian drivers, contrasting Maranello’s decisions with the long-term investment made by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.
“It’s clear that Toto Wolff’s school is a particular kind of school,” Carlo Pernat continued. “He’s been working with him for years, and this really makes me think about how out of touch Ferrari is. Not having Italian drivers is something that makes absolutely no sense. Not bringing through any Italians and letting someone like Antonelli slip away, even though there are a few youngsters in the Academy, is a real shame.”
His criticism reflects the disappointment surrounding Ferrari’s failure to secure Andrea Kimi Antonelli during his early development. The Italian youngster ultimately became part of Mercedes’ junior programme, with Toto Wolff overseeing a long-term investment that culminated in the 2026 World Championship.
The circumstances behind Ferrari’s earlier decision have already attracted considerable attention. Former team principal Maurizio Arrivabene previously explained why Ferrari decided against signing Andrea Kimi Antonelli when he was just 11 years old, highlighting the difficulties of managing a driver at such an early stage of his career.
Carlo Pernat nevertheless believes the situation raises important questions about the Scuderia’s approach to identifying and promoting Italian talent. His remarks also underline the contrast between Ferrari’s decision and the development path that Mercedes provided for its future world champion.
Meanwhile, Toto Wolff has defended the importance of the work carried out by Mercedes over several years, arguing that Ferrari’s decision not to sign Andrea Kimi Antonelli as a child should not automatically be considered a mistake.
Kimi Antonelli’s maturity impresses Carlo Pernat after historic F1 title
One of the characteristics that has impressed Carlo Pernat most is the maturity displayed by Andrea Kimi Antonelli despite his young age. The experienced manager believes the Mercedes driver combines exceptional ability with a calmness and composure that are unusual for someone dealing with such extraordinary sporting success.
“He’s a very young man, but he seems twice his age. He also does everything with such calmness and serenity that it looks as though he’s just going out for a drive in a go-kart. He’s a great character, a good young man. I’ll say it again: he reminds me very much of Gilles Villeneuve.”
Carlo Pernat is also convinced that Andrea Kimi Antonelli has the potential to enjoy a remarkable career at the highest level of motorsport.
“I think he’ll have a great career, one of those fantastic ones, but we all know that. You can see it, and there’s no need for me to say it.”
For the veteran MotoGP manager, the young Italian’s composure is particularly impressive given the attention that accompanies becoming a Formula 1 World Champion. The ability to handle that level of recognition while remaining grounded is one of the main reasons he sees similarities with Gilles Villeneuve.
Why Carlo Pernat believes Kimi Antonelli could become Formula 1’s Valentino Rossi
During the closing stages of the interview, Carlo Pernat introduced another famous comparison, this time with a motorsport legend who is also a friend of Andrea Kimi Antonelli: nine-time motorcycle racing world champion Valentino Rossi.
Rather than focusing on their achievements or driving styles, Carlo Pernat highlighted the way both figures have the ability to appeal to audiences beyond the traditional motorsport fanbase.
“Obviously, everything has changed since Villeneuve’s time, but the truth is that this young man is winning people’s hearts in that way. Liberty Media is helping him find a place in the hearts of families, mothers and grandmothers. He’s a bit like a young Valentino Rossi.”
“Now even a grandmother, together with her son and grandson, will become passionate about Formula 1 and follow it to watch this young man. That’s what happened with Valentino. All the grandmothers, mothers and women who fell in love with this likeable young man started following motorcycle racing.”
“At least 30% of the people watching motorcycle racing didn’t even know what a connecting rod or a piston was, and the same thing is happening now with Formula 1.”
Carlo Pernat’s comparison reflects his belief that Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s appeal could reach far beyond dedicated Formula 1 followers. Just as Valentino Rossi attracted new audiences to motorcycle racing through his personality and popularity, the Mercedes champion could help introduce another generation of families to Formula 1.
For Ferrari, however, the praise surrounding Andrea Kimi Antonelli comes with an uncomfortable reminder. While the Italian driver celebrates a historic world championship with Mercedes, Carlo Pernat believes Maranello should reflect on how such a promising young talent was allowed to develop his career elsewhere.
In the veteran manager’s eyes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli possesses not only the ability to achieve extraordinary results but also the personality to become one of the defining figures of modern Formula 1, combining the human qualities he admired in Gilles Villeneuve with the widespread appeal that made Valentino Rossi a global motorsport icon.
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