Jul.22 (GMM) Valentino Rossi says he is supporting Kimi Antonelli rather than Ferrari as the 19-year-old increasingly becomes the focus of Italy’s hopes for a Formula 1 world champion.
The nine-time motorcycle world champion has developed a close relationship with Antonelli, who has regularly visited Rossi’s VR46 Motor Ranch and spent time with members of his academy.
“You can imagine what Ferrari represents in Italy,” Rossi told Sky Italia.
“It’s like a religion, but I’m above all a fan of the drivers, and that’s why I’m rooting for Kimi now.”
Antonelli strengthened his championship lead with victory from pole at Spa, extending his advantage over Mercedes teammate George Russell to 50 points.
Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton is 5 points ahead of Russell in P2 behind Antonelli.
“He’s an extraordinary talent,” Rossi said of his countryman.
“He has so much speed, and in Italy we’ve never had a driver capable of winning the Formula 1 World Championship in the last 70 years.”
“That’s why it would be something truly special.”
Antonelli’s Spa performance triggered another wave of praise in the international media.
“Kimi Antonelli’s masterpiece!” declared La Gazzetta dello Sport. “He masters the difficulties of a dramatic Grand Prix.”
Corriere dello Sport described it as “an impressive comeback victory”, while Spain’s Marca said Antonelli had proven himself “on the most demanding and legendary stage of classic Formula 1”.
France’s Le Parisien was similarly impressed.
“At just 19 years old, Kimi Antonelli seems unshaken,” it said.
“He became the first driver since Max Verstappen in 2021 to win from pole position at the Belgian GP.”
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says Antonelli’s emotional control has surprised even the team that has supported him since childhood.
“We didn’t expect the composure and structure he brought,” said the Austrian.
“With Kimi, whether the session was good or bad, there’s no noticeable difference in the emotions during the post-race meeting.”
Wolff said Antonelli had even comforted Mercedes after his recent technical retirements.
“In Barcelona, when the car stopped, or even at Silverstone, he came back to the pits and it was he who told the team, ‘Well, this is motorsport, these things can happen.’ At just 19 years old!”
“It’s truly impressive to see. And I think this mentality and this attitude are probably one of the main factors that have allowed him to be so brilliant, so early in his career.”
Former Ferrari engineer and strategist Luca Baldisserri said that composure was already evident during Antonelli’s childhood.
“Kimi was like this when he was 11 or 12,” he told Corriere della Sera. “Focused, curious, ready to study the great champions.”
“Determined to achieve his goal.”
