Italian Formula 1 supporters have spoken, and the latest fan survey paints a fascinating picture of how loyalties are shifting during the 2026 season. While Ferrari remains the country’s emotional centrepiece, the arrival of Mercedes sensation Kimi Antonelli has created an entirely new dynamic among Italian fans, leaving many divided between supporting the nation’s newest hero and the Scuderia’s two world-class drivers.
As Ferrari continues its fight at the front of the championship with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, Antonelli’s remarkable rise has captured the imagination of supporters across Italy. His breakthrough campaign has transformed him into one of the biggest stories of the season, making this year’s fan rankings more competitive than ever.
Kimi Antonelli tops the poll as Italy embraces its newest Formula 1 star
The survey, published by Gazzetta dello Sport, questioned 1,835 Formula 1 fans between the ages of 18 and 64. Participants were asked which driver or team they currently felt the strongest connection with in Formula 1, and each respondent was allowed to make two selections.
The results showed that Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has quickly become the country’s most popular Formula 1 personality. He received 33.1% of the votes after an outstanding campaign that has seen him establish himself as a genuine title contender.
After a relatively quiet rookie season, the young Italian has taken a major step forward in 2026. With five Grand Prix victories already to his name, Kimi Antonelli has built a 25-point championship advantage over Mercedes team-mate George Russell, who entered the season as one of the leading favourites for the world title.
His success carries additional significance for Italian motorsport. Kimi Antonelli became the first Italian driver to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix since Giancarlo Fisichella triumphed in 2006, and he now has the opportunity to become Italy’s first Formula 1 World Champion in decades. Unsurprisingly, his rapid rise has generated enormous excitement among fans who have long waited for another homegrown contender at the highest level.
Charles Leclerc remains Ferrari’s most popular driver
Despite Kimi Antonelli’s surge in popularity, Ferrari continues to enjoy enormous support throughout Italy, with Charles Leclerc emerging as the team’s favourite driver in the survey.
The Monegasque collected 21.5% of the votes, comfortably placing him ahead of Maranello team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who finished third with 11.6%. Although Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari generated unprecedented global attention and represented one of the biggest driver transfers in modern Formula 1 history, the poll suggests that Charles Leclerc still enjoys a stronger emotional connection with many Italian supporters.
That loyalty is hardly surprising. Charles Leclerc has been part of the Ferrari family since 2019 and has experienced every stage of the team’s recent journey. During that period he has delivered memorable victories, including two hugely emotional triumphs at Monza in front of the passionate Tifosi, performances that have further strengthened his bond with the Tifosi.
His place in Ferrari history has also continued to grow. Charles Leclerc has now climbed to second place on the Scuderia’s all-time appearances list with 159 Grands Prix, trailing only seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who remains the benchmark with 180 starts for Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari project continues to gain momentum
While Charles Leclerc currently holds the advantage in terms of popularity among Italian fans, Lewis Hamilton’s position may continue to improve as his Ferrari career develops. The seven-time Formula 1 World Champion endured a challenging start to life in red before gradually finding his rhythm. The Briton had to wait until the Chinese Grand Prix to secure his first Formula 1 podium for Ferrari, achieving that milestone in his 26th race with the team. Since then, he has added another four podium finishes, demonstrating increasingly consistent form.
Perhaps even more importantly, Lewis Hamilton has begun converting improved pace into victories. His breakthrough win for Ferrari at the Spanish Grand Prix ended a 20-month victory drought for the Scuderia and marked one of the defining moments of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The survey itself was reportedly conducted during June, although the exact timing has not been confirmed. As a result, it remains uncertain whether voting concluded before or after Lewis Hamilton’s landmark victory in Barcelona. If the poll had been completed after that success, the British driver’s percentage may well have been higher, considering the significance of delivering Ferrari’s long-awaited return to the top step of the podium.
The final standings could reshape fan opinion
The remainder of the 2026 Formula 1 season could dramatically alter how supporters view Ferrari’s two drivers.
Lewis Hamilton currently sits ahead of Charles Leclerc in the Drivers’ Championship, reflecting the strong momentum he has built over recent races. If the seven-time world champion continues delivering victories and podium finishes while helping Ferrari challenge consistently at the front, public opinion could shift considerably before the end of the campaign.
At the same time, Charles Leclerc remains one of the most admired figures within Maranello thanks to his speed, loyalty and long-standing relationship with the Scuderia. His connection with Italian fans has been built over many years rather than a single season, making him an exceptionally popular figure regardless of the championship standings.
With Kimi Antonelli establishing himself as Italy’s newest Formula 1 superstar and Ferrari fielding one of the strongest driver line-ups on the grid, future fan surveys promise to be every bit as competitive as the battles taking place on the racetrack. If another poll is carried out once the 2026 season concludes, the rankings could look very different depending on how the championship fight unfolds.
Leave a Reply