Kimi Antonelli wins over Italy as title bid grows

Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli reached the April break at the top of the 2026 Formula 1 world championship, and his rapid rise has already done more than deliver wins in Shanghai and Suzuka. It has ended Italy’s 20-year wait for a grand prix winner and, in Jean Alesi’s view, turned Antonelli into the rare non-Ferrari Italian driver to win over his home crowd.

Antonelli’s breakthrough came in China on 15 March, when the 19-year-old converted his first grand prix pole position into his first Formula 1 victory at the Shanghai International Circuit. He later added another win at Suzuka and, by the time he won in Japan, he was 19 years, 7 months and 4 days old, making him the youngest ever World Championship leader. Heading into the Miami Grand Prix, he held a nine-point lead over Mercedes team-mate George Russell.

Speaking on the Mercedes Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show, Antonelli called his Shanghai victory “probably... so far the best day of my life.” He said it was “one of my dreams” and described a first win as “always special because it happens only once,” adding that it was “a very meaningful moment for me, for the team, for my family.”

The result carried extra weight because his father was at the track. Antonelli said his mother could not attend because she “had to take care of my sister,” but described the day as “a very great moment for everyone” as well as “emotional” and “super cool.”

Its significance stretched well beyond Mercedes. Antonelli became the first Italian to win a Formula 1 grand prix since Giancarlo Fisichella at Malaysia in 2006, ending a drought that had lasted two decades. When he returned to Italy, he said the reaction made clear what the moment meant back home.

“At the airport, there were journalists and stuff, a lot of excitement because the last one was 2006,” Antonelli said. Referring to Fisichella’s win, he added: “If I am not mistaken,” before saying that after “a long time” it was “really cool” to “bring back Italy on top.”

Alesi believes that response matters almost as much as the results. In an exclusive interview with RacingNews365, the former Ferrari driver said Antonelli has already managed something many Italian drivers before him could not: “he has the sympathy of his compatriots.”

Alesi said Antonelli has “conquered the hearts of the notorious, passionate Italian fans, who are generally strict with their own drivers and especially focused on Ferrari.” He contrasted that with an earlier era, saying that with Michele Alboreto and other talented Italians, “there was no room for Italian drivers. The press only talked about Ferrari. Now that is not the case.”

“They like him and they also like Ferrari. They are also very proud of Kimi,” Alesi said. “So it is a very nice story for him and also for the Italians who really love motorsport.”

That popularity has been accelerated by genuine title momentum. With Mercedes clearly separated from the rest of the field so far, Antonelli has quickly been cast as a championship contender rather than simply the sport’s next big prospect. Alesi said it is still early, but added that Antonelli is “on the right path,” while also pointing out that Russell remains “a serious title candidate, without doubt, even if he might now scratch his head a bit.”

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has also tried to temper the noise without downplaying the performance. Wolff said the team was not surprised by Antonelli’s level because it was “well aware of his abilities.” He said the direction is “good,” but added Mercedes does not expect “miracles” over the full season.

For now, though, Antonelli has already changed the picture. He is not just winning races and leading the standings at 19, but doing it in a way that has revived Italian pride beyond Ferrari and turned his first Formula 1 breakthrough into a real championship story.