Kimi Antonelli could eventually make the move from Mercedes to Ferrari, according to former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner, who believes it is only a matter of time before the newly crowned Formula 1 world champion drives for the Maranello team. Although the Italian has repeatedly expressed his loyalty and gratitude towards Mercedes, Guenther Steiner is convinced that Ferrari will eventually pursue one of Italy’s brightest motorsport talents.
Kimi Antonelli has already written his name into Formula 1 history by winning his first world championship. His achievement is remarkable not simply because he secured the title in only his second season in the sport, something Jacques Villeneuve and Lewis Hamilton also accomplished, but above all because he became the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history. The Italian has demonstrated a level of maturity and consistency that few could have predicted at such an early stage of his career.
However, while many Italian fans have celebrated the emergence of a home-grown world champion, there has also been a recurring sentiment throughout the season: the achievement would have been even more special had Kimi Antonelli accomplished it behind the wheel of a Ferrari.
That feeling has been particularly strong among Ferrari supporters, especially following the Bologna-born driver’s remarkable performance at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza and, even more so, after he secured the world championship in Mexico. For many Italian motorsport enthusiasts and Ferrari fans, the dream is now to see Kimi Antonelli repeat those successes one day while representing the famous Maranello team.
Kimi Antonelli to Ferrari: Guenther Steiner believes the move is inevitable
For now, a potential Ferrari move remains a distant prospect. Nevertheless, several former drivers and Formula 1 insiders believe that Kimi Antonelli will eventually find himself wearing the famous red colours. In their view, it may simply be a question of time.
Among those sharing that opinion is former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner, who recently added his voice to the growing number of figures predicting that the Italian world champion will eventually join Ferrari.
At the same time, observers have acknowledged that Kimi Antonelli, despite repeatedly recognising Ferrari’s unique appeal, has consistently emphasised his loyalty, gratitude and appreciation towards Mercedes. The German manufacturer has played a fundamental role in his development and provided him with the opportunity to establish himself at the highest level of motorsport.
Speaking to RacingNews365, Guenther Steiner explained why he believes the prospect of an Italian world champion eventually racing for Ferrari is almost inevitable.
“Some people wonder why he isn’t driving for us,” Guenther Steiner said. “It’s the only aspect that isn’t quite perfect for Italy: having an Italian world champion who doesn’t drive for Ferrari.”
His comments reflect the emotional significance of the relationship between Ferrari and Italian motorsport. Although the Scuderia has attracted outstanding drivers from around the world throughout its history, the prospect of an Italian champion competing for the Maranello team remains particularly appealing to the country’s passionate supporters.
Why Kimi Antonelli’s age could make a future Ferrari move possible
One of the main reasons behind Guenther Steiner’s confidence is Kimi Antonelli’s age. At just 20, the Mercedes driver potentially has many years of Formula 1 racing ahead of him, leaving considerable time for his career to take a different direction.
“I think that sooner or later… Think about it: he’s 20 years old. He’s incredibly young, so in my opinion, sooner or later he’ll drive for Ferrari,” Guenther Steiner explained.
“Will it happen soon? No, I don’t think so. Maybe in about ten years. But at some point, as you’d naturally expect, an Italian talent of his calibre will end up there. I’d put it another way: they’ll be the ones looking for him. He could even go there tomorrow if he wanted to.”
Guenther Steiner’s prediction therefore does not suggest an imminent departure from Mercedes. Instead, he sees Ferrari as a possible destination later in Kimi Antonelli’s career, potentially once the Italian has spent many more seasons competing at the front of the Formula 1 grid.
For Ferrari, the possibility of attracting an Italian world champion would carry considerable sporting and symbolic significance. However, Kimi Antonelli’s repeated expressions of loyalty to Mercedes underline why such a move remains hypothetical rather than an immediate prospect.
Guenther Steiner explains why Mercedes has helped Kimi Antonelli become world champion
Beyond the speculation surrounding Ferrari, Guenther Steiner also highlighted the importance of Kimi Antonelli’s timing at Mercedes. The Italian has benefited from arriving at the team at the beginning of a new Formula 1 regulatory era, when the German manufacturer has emerged as one of the strongest competitors.
However, the former Haas boss was keen to emphasise that Kimi Antonelli’s success cannot simply be attributed to having a competitive car. In his view, the young Italian has earned his achievements through his own ability and performances.
“He arrived in the first year of these new regulations. In motorsport, you have to be in the right place at the right time, and he’s managed that: he’s in the right place at the right time,” Guenther Steiner explained.
“Under these regulations, Mercedes is very strong. They aren’t dominating, which is good for everyone. That means you can’t simply tell him: ‘You win because you’ve got the best car.’ No, he wins because he has a good car and because, at the moment, he’s the best. I’m certain he’ll win several more championships.”
Guenther Steiner’s assessment highlights the combination of circumstances and individual talent that has allowed Kimi Antonelli to become Formula 1 world champion so early in his career.
For the moment, Mercedes remains the team with which the Italian has achieved his greatest success, and there is no indication that a Ferrari move is imminent. Nevertheless, Guenther Steiner believes that Kimi Antonelli’s age, nationality and exceptional ability could eventually make him an irresistible prospect for the Maranello team.
Whether that happens in the next decade or much further into the future remains uncertain. What is clear is that Kimi Antonelli’s historic championship triumph has strengthened the hopes of Ferrari supporters who would love to see an Italian world champion competing in red.
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